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Topic 6 Revision Notes Prd58w

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using energy from sunlight captured by chlorophyll. Key experiments show that chlorophyll, light, and carbon dioxide are necessary for photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis can be affected by varying the light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature. A leaf is adapted for photosynthesis through internal structures like the palisade mesophyll containing chloroplasts and the spongy mesophyll containing air spaces. Nitrate ions are important for making amino acids and magnesium ions for making chlorophyll. Deficiencies can result in slow growth or yellow leaves.

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124 views5 pages

Topic 6 Revision Notes Prd58w

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using energy from sunlight captured by chlorophyll. Key experiments show that chlorophyll, light, and carbon dioxide are necessary for photosynthesis. The rate of photosynthesis can be affected by varying the light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature. A leaf is adapted for photosynthesis through internal structures like the palisade mesophyll containing chloroplasts and the spongy mesophyll containing air spaces. Nitrate ions are important for making amino acids and magnesium ions for making chlorophyll. Deficiencies can result in slow growth or yellow leaves.

Uploaded by

Seve Reyes
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Topic 6.

Plant Nutrition

Define photosynthesis - the process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw materials using
energy from light.

State the word equation for photosynthesis:


carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen, in the presence of light and chlorophyll

State the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis


Light
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
Chlorophyll

Explain that chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical energy in molecules, for the synthesis
of carbohydrates
Outline the subsequent use and storage of the carbohydrates made in photosynthesis

 Chloroplasts containing chlorophyll are responsible for trapping light energy.


 This energy is converted to chemical energy for the formation of carbohydrates (glucose);
 Glucose is usually changed to sucrose for transport around the plant, or to starch for storage;
 Oxygen is released as a waste product, or used by the plant for respiration.

Investigate the necessity for chlorophyll, light and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, using
appropriate controls

 Experiments can be used to find out what factors are needed for photosynthesis.
 First the plant is destarched. This involves leaving the plant in the dark for 48 hours. The plant uses
up all the stores of starch in its leaves (in respiration).
 One plant (or leaf) is exposed to all the conditions needed- this is the control.
 Another plant (or leaf) is deprived of one condition (this may be light or carbon dioxide).
 After a few hours the starch test is carried out on the control and the test plant/leaf.

TESTING A LEAF FOR STARCH


The starch test does not work by placing iodine solution on fresh leaves, it is not absorbed.

STAGE REASON SAFETY POINTS


Boil the leaf in water To break the cell membranes, this Danger of scalding
makes it permeable
Boil the leaf in ethanol To decolorize the leaf- No naked flames- ethanol is
chlorophyll dissolves in ethanol highly flammable
Rinse the leaf in water Boiling the leaf in ethanol makes
it brittle- water softens it
Leaf the leaf out on white tile So that the results are easy to see
Add iodine solution to the To test for the presence of starch Avoid skin contact with iodine
leaf solution
Experiment 1 - To see if chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis

Steps involved:
a. Leave a plant with variegated leaves (green and white) in a warm, sunny spot for a few days.
b. Test the leaves for starch (the control is the green part of the variegated leaf; the experimental
leaf is the white part of the variegated leaf)
Result: green part will give a positive test for starch due to the presence of chlorophyll

Experiment 2 - To see if carbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesis

Destarch a plant. Set up the experiment as shown in the figure. Test the leaves for starch.
Control is the flask with leaf & distilled water.
Experimental leaf shows the absence of starch as it is deprived of carbon dioxide due to the
presence of potassium hydroxide or limewater
Experiment 3 - To see if light is needed for photosynthesis

Destarch a plant. Set up the experiment as shown in the figure. Test the leaves for starch.
Control is the uncovered part of the leaf which gives a positive test for starch. Experimental leaf is the
covered part of the leaf, shows absence of starch in the absence of light.
Investigate and describe the effects of varying light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and
temperature on the rate of photosynthesis, e.g. in submerged aquatic plants

Experiment to show the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis

a. Set up the apparatus as shown in the diagram. Make sure that the test tube is completely full of
water.
b. Vary the light intensity by changing the distance of light from the plant.
c. Count the number of bubbles produced per minute or the volume of gas (oxygen) collected after 10
minutes for each different intensity of light.
Control variables: Type of plant, size of plant, amount of water in the trough, amount of time to
collect the volume of gas.

 As light intensity increases, so does the rate of photosynthesis.


 The light intensity (I) is related to the distance (d) between the lamp and the plant (I=1/d2).
 As the lamp is moved closer, the light intensity increases.
 The rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to the light intensity.
 However the photosynthetic rate cannot be increased indefinitely, a point is reached where all the
chloroplasts cannot trap anymore light.

Experiment to show the effect of CO2 concentration on the rate of photosynthesis

Experiment to show the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis


Define the term limiting factor - something present in the environment in such short supply that it
restricts life processes

Identify and explain the limiting factors of photosynthesis in different environmental conditions

Describe the use of carbon dioxide enrichment, optimum light and optimum temperatures in
glasshouses in temperate and tropical countries

Use hydrogencarbonate indicator solution to investigate the effect of gas exchange of an aquatic plant
kept in the light and in the dark

6.2 Leaf structure

Identify chloroplasts, cuticle, guard cells and stomata, upper and lower epidermis, palisade mesophyll,
spongy mesophyll, vascular bundles, xylem and phloem in leaves of a dicotyledonous plant
Explain how the internal structure of a leaf is adapted for photosynthesis

Transverse section through a leaf Palisade cell

Parts of a leaf Description Functions


Cuticle Made of wax, secreted by upper Helps in water proofing the leaf to prevent water
epidermis loss
Upper epidermis Thin and transparent, absence of Acts as protective layer & barrier to disease
chloroplasts organisms; allows sunlight to penetrate
Palisade mesophyll No gaps between cells. Cells are Main region for absorption of light for
long, packed with chloroplasts photosynthesis
Spongy mesophyll Spherical, loosely packed, Air spaces between cells allow gaseous exchange -
contain chloroplasts but not as carbon dioxide to the cells, oxygen from the cells
many as palisade during photosynthesis
Vascular bundle Thin vein made of xylem and Xylem vessels bring water and minerals to the leaf,
phloem phloem vessels transport sugars and amino acids
away from the leaf
Lower epidermis Stomata present Acts as protective layer,
Stomata Surrounded by guard cells Guard cells regulate whether the stoma is open or
closed to allow carbon dioxide in & regulate the loss
of water vapour during transpiration
6.3 Mineral requirements

Describe the importance of nitrate and magnesium ions.


– nitrate ions for making amino acids
– magnesium ions for making chlorophyll

Explain the effects of nitrate ion and magnesium ion deficiency on plant growth.

NITROGEN MAGNESIUM
Mineral salt Nitrate or ammonium ions Magnesium ions
Why needed To make proteins To make chlorophyll
Deficiency Slow growth, weak stem, yellow leaves Yellowing of leaves

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