What happens during photosynthesis? B3.1

Question 1

Describe the process of photosynthesis.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is when plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose ad oxygen. It’s an endothermic reaction.

Question 2

What role do chloroplasts play in photosynthesis?

Answer 2

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which captures light energy necessary for photosynthesis.

Question 3

How do temperature, light intensity and CO2 concentration affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 3

Higher temperature, higher light intensity and CO2 concentration can increase the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain point.

Question 4

What are the limiting factors of photosynthesis?

Answer 4

Light intensity, temperature and CO2 concentration.

Question 5

What is the word equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 5

Carbon dioxide + oxygen (using light energy) -> glucose + oxygen

Question 6

Why is photosynthesis endothermic?

Answer 6

It requires the absorption of energy (in the form of light) to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Question 7

What are the requirements for photosynthesis?

Answer 7

Light energy, water, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide.

Question 8

What are the products of photosynthesis?

Answer 8

Glucose and oxygen.

Question 9

What is the role of chloroplasts in photosynthesis?

Answer 9

Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, which absorbs light energy. This energy is used in photosynthesis to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Question 10

Give an example of a biological catalyst:

Answer 10

Enzymes.

Question 11

How do enzymes work in biological processes?

Answer 11

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur. They are specific to substrates and work by binding to them at the active site.

Question 12

How does an increase in temperature up until optimal temperature affect enzyme activity?

Answer 12

As temperature increases, enzyme activity typically increases because molecules move faster due to increase in kinetic energy and collide more often, resulting in more enzyme substrate complexes being made.

Question 13

How does an increase in temperature beyond the optimal temperature affect enzyme activity?

Answer 13

If the temperature becomes too high, enzymes can denature, losing their shape and function.

Question 14

How does substrate concentration affect enzyme activity?

Answer 14

As substrate concentration increases, enzyme activity increases because there are more molecules for the enzymes to form enzyme substrate complexes with. However, once all the active sites are occupied, enzyme activity plateaus or reaches a maximum.

Question 15

What is the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 15

As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases, as more light energy is available for the process. However, beyond a certain point, the rate plateaus or reaches a maximum.

Question 16

Describe a practical investigation into the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis:

Answer 16

Use a plant in a beaker of water and vary the distance from a light source.
Measure the rate of photosynthesis by counting the oxygen bubbles produced or measuring the volume of oxygen produced over time.

Question 17

What is meant by limiting factors in photosynthesis?

Answer 17

Limiting factors are conditions that affect the rate of photosynthesis. These include light intensity, temperature and carbon dioxide concentration. If any of these factors are in short supply, they limit the rate of photosynthesis.

Question 18

All three limiting factors of photosynthesis should be at ____ levels for maximum photosynthesis.

Answer 18

optimal

Question 19

What is the symbol equation for photosynthesis?

Answer 19

6CO2 + 6H20 -> C6H12O6 + 602

Question 20

How does the inverse square law explain the effect of distance on the rate of photosynthesis?

Answer 20

The inverse square law states that the intensity of light decreases with the square of the distance from the light source. So, as the distance from the light increases, the rate of photosynthesis decreases.