Topic 5 - Energy transfers Flashcards
state the two stages of photosynthesis
LDR (light dependent reaction)
LIDR (light independent reaction) - also known as the dark reaction
where does LDR occur
thylakoid membrane of chloroplast
where does LIDR occur
stroma of chloroplast
describe the structure of chloroplasts
did you mention:
double membrane (envelope), stoma containing thylakoid membrane, 70s ribosomes, circular DNA, starch granules, lamella, grana
describe photoionisation in the LDR
- chlorophyll absorbs light energy which exites its electrons (higher energy levels)
- so electrons are released from chlorophyll (chlorophyll becomes positively charged)
describes what happens after photoionisation in the LDR
some energy from electrons released in photoionisation is conserved in the production of ATP./reduced NADP:
- electrons move along electron transfer chain (electron carriers), releasing energy
- energy is used to actively pump pprotons from stroma into thylakoid
- protons move by facilitated diffusion down electrochemical gradient into stroma via ATP synthase
- energy used to join ADP and Pi to form ATP (photophosphorylation
- NADP accepts a proton and an electron to become reduced NADP
state 3 products of LDR
ATP, reduced NADP, half an O2 molecule
describe photolysis of water in the LDR
water splits to produce protons, electrons and oxygen (H2O –. 0.5 O2 + 2e- + 2H+)
electrons replace those lost from chlorophyll
what is the light independent reaction known as (2 names)
the dark reaction or the calvin cycle
where does the LIDR occur
stroma of the chloroplast
what 2 products of the LDR is used in the LIDR
reduced NADP and ATP
why are reduced NADP and ATP used in the LIDR
to reduce CO2
describe the LIDR
- CO2 reacts with ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) and is catalysed by the enzyme rubisco
- this forms 2 glycerate 3-phosphate (GP) molecules [3C]
- GP is then reduced to triose phosphate (TP) [3C]. this uses reduced NADP oxidised into NADP and ATP reduced into ADP + Pi
- some TP is converted into useful organic substances e.g. glucose (6C)
- some TP is used to regenerate RuBP (5C) in the calvin cycle using energy from ATP (ATP is reduced into ADP + Pi)
does LIDR require light?
not directly
describe how temperature affects rate of photosynthesis
temperature increases = rate increases
above optimun temperature, rate decreases = fewer sucessful collisions and fewer ES complexes form
explain how temperature affects rate of photosynthesis
temp increases because enzymes like rubisco gain kinetic energy
enzymes will denature above optimun temperature. H bonds in tertiary structure break = fewer ES complexes form
describe how light intensity affects rate of photosynthesis
light intensity increases as rate increases but above a certain light intensity, rate stops increasing
explain how light intensity affects rate of photosynthesis
light increases as rate increases
LDR increases so more ATP and reduced NADP -produced so LIDR increases as more GP reduced to TP and more TP regenerates RuBP
above certain light intensity, rate stops increasing
another factor is limiting when light intensity rate stops increasing e.g. tmeperature or Co2 concentration
describe how CO2 conc affects rate of photosynthesis
as CO2 conc increases, rate increases
above certain CO2 conc, rate stops increasing
explain why CO2 conc affects rate of photosynthesis
rate increases as CO2 increases
LIDR increases as more CO2 combines w RuBP to form GP so more GP reduced to TP so more TP converted to organic substances and more RuBP regenerated
rate stopping after certain CO2 conc
another factor is limiting e.g. temp or light intensity
what is the law of limiting factors
when a process depends on two or more factors, the rate of that process if limited by the factor which is in shortest supply
what three factorrs can the rate of photosynthesis in a plant can be limited by
light intensity, conc of CO2, temperature
what happens to rate of photosynthesis when temeprature is too low
lower kinetic energy so fewer sucessful collision and fewer ES complexes form and a slower rate of reaction = lower rate of electron transport chain/lower rate of carboxylation by rubisco
what happen to rate of photosynthesis when temperature is high
high kinetic energy breaks the hydrogen bonds in the tertiary structure of enzymes and proteins involved in the LDR and calvin cycle. enzymes + proteins lose their tertiary structure and change shape [denature] so cannot perform role in LDR or calvin cycle
lower rate of electron transport chain/lower rate of carboxylation by rubisco
what happens to rate of photosynthesis when CO2 is low
less CO2 so less RuBP to combine with and less GP produced. So less GP for the NADPH2 and ATP to convert into and less TP = less glucose
what happens to rate of photosynthesis when light intensity is lower
less light
less photoionisation which means less electrons are excited
so reduced electron transport chain = less NADPH2 and ATP produced
CO2 will combine with RuBP to produce GP but cannot change into TP as no NADPH2 or ATP so less TP converted into glucose
when there is a line with a gradient what does this mean regarding limiting factors
independent variable is limiting the rate of photosynthesis - xaxis
when there is a flat line what does this mean in limiting factor graphs
a factor other than the independent variable is limiting rate of photosynthesis = yaxis
what happens to rate of photosynthesis when there is a lack of chlorophyll
this is mainly due to being deficient iin Mg2+ so less light absorbed, less photoionisation, reduced electron transport chain = less NADPH2 and ATP so reduced production of TP and so less glucose
how does a lack of water affect rate of photosynthesis
less water split into two to replace the electrons lost in the Photosystem II and so reduced photolysis of water so cannot replace electrons so stays ionised and reduced electron transport chain. less NADPH2 and ATP produced so less GP turned into TP which means less glucose
why are fertilisers are used
- to replace nitrates/phosphates lost when plants are harvested and livestock are removed
- those removed from soil and incorporated into biomass can’t be released back into the soil through decomposition by saprobionts
- so improve efficiency of energy transfer = increase productivity/yield
faster growth, increased biomass, higher productivity (rate at which biomass is produced), higher yield and cheaper food
what are natural fertilisers made of
organic substances and ions are released during decompositioni by saprobionts e.g. manure, compost and sewage
what are artificial fertilisers made of
inorganic compounds of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium
how do fertilisers increase productivity
nitrogen is an essential compound of amino acids, ATP and nucleotides in DNA all needed for plant growth. increased conc = plants develop quicker - greater leaf area, grow taller = more photosynthesis can occur and improved crop productivity
state 3 effects of using fertilisers
redeuced species diversity, leaching, eutrophication
state what happens in eutrophication
- rapid growth of algae in pond/river so light blocked
- submerged plants die as they cannot photosynthesise
- saprobionts decompose dead plant matter using oxygen in aerobic respiration
- so less oxygen for fish to aerobically respire, leading to their death
state how leaching affects it
phosphates/nitrates disssolve in water, leading to leaching of nutrients into lakes/river/oceans + eutrophication
pollutes watercourses
explain key advantages of using natural fertiliser over artificial fertiliser
- less water soluble so less leaching = eutrophication is less likely
- organic molecules require breaking down by saprobionts = slow release of nitrate/phosphate etc.
what is leaching
soluble mineral ions (nitrate ions) dissolve in rainwater and carry the ions deep into the ground beyond the reach of plant roots = mineral ions travel into watercourses (rivers and streams) via groundwater flow
state how fertilisers reduce species diversity
nitrogen rich soil favours the growth of grasses, nettles and other rapidly growing species which outcompete other species, leading to a reduced biodiveristy of plants = fewer plant speicies = reduced food sources and habitat options
what is eutrophication caused by
leaching of fertiliser into watercourses
what is eutrophication
soluble nitrates are washed into watercourse, algae absorb the nitrates and the opulation grows rapidly = alglal bloom which blocks aquatic plants so as they cannot photosynthesise, they die
lots of dead, organic material for bacteria to feed on = population grows rapidly = water is anoxic (lacking oxygen) due to anaerobic respiration.
lack of oxygen = reduced biodiversity as all organisms die
what can farmers do to increase growth
use greenhouses, propane burners, night lights, irrigation systems and pesticides
how does use of greenhouses increase growth in farming
increases radiation = increased LDR and increases temperature = increased KE
how does use of propane burners increase growth in farming
increase temperature = increased KE and increase CO2 = increased CAlvin cycle