Photosynthesis

Explain the interactions of

light, CO2 and temperature
on Photosynthesis!
Figure 1 (top). An illustration of how plants can use more light for
photosynthesis when the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2)
increases. The dots indicate the light saturation points, and above these
values, additional light does not increase photosynthesis.
Figure 2 (bottom). Photosynthesis of many plants increases as both
temperature and especially CO2 increase, until maximum values. These
curves illustrate that the temperature for maximum photosynthesis
increases when CO2 is enriched.
 Learning Intentions
In this chapter you will learn how to:

• explain how photosynthesis transfers energy from light to carbohydrate molecules

• describe how the structure of a chloroplast is related to its functions
• describe the roles of chloroplast pigments, and interpret absorption spectra and
action spectra
• describe the reactions of the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis, including
cyclic photophosphorylation and non-cyclic photophosphorylation
• describe the light-independent stage of photosynthesis
• explain the main limiting factors for photosynthesis, and interpret graphs showing
the effects of these on the rate of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis involves taking in carbon dioxide and reducing it – that is, adding hydrogen to it – to
produce carbohydrate. The hydrogen for this process comes from water. The energy that drives the
reactions comes from light, which is absorbed by a green pigment called chlorophyll.

The reaction shown in the overall equation is actually made up of many smaller steps. These can be divided
into two main stages – the light-dependent stage and the light-independent stage.
 Chloroplasts are the organelles in plant cells where
photosynthesis occurs
 Each chloroplast is surrounded by a double-
membrane envelope
• Each of the envelope membranes is a
phospholipid bilayer
 Chloroplasts are filled with a fluid known as
the stroma
• The stroma is the site of the light-independent
stage of photosynthesis
• This membrane system is the site of
the light-dependent stage of
photosynthesis
• The membrane contains the pigments,
enzymes and electron carriers required
for the light-dependent reactions
• This membrane system consists of a series
of flattened fluid-filled sacs known
as thylakoids
• These thylakoids stack up to form structures
known as grana (singular – granum)
• Grana are connected by membranous
channels called stroma lamellae, which
ensure the stacks of sacs are connected but
distanced from each other
• The membranes of the grana create a large
surface area to increase the number of
light-dependent reactions that can occur
• This membrane system provides a large
number of pigment molecules in an
arrangement that ensures as much light
Chlorophyll has a very complex structure. That figure shows the molecular structure
of chlorophyll A, which has the formula C 55H72O5N4Mg. The central magnesium ion is
thought to be crucial for the ability of this pigment to absorb light. Interestingly, as
we can see in that Figure, chlorophyll has a very similar structure to the heme group
found in the hemoglobin of animal red blood cells!
 Chlorophyll absorbs light most strongly in the blue portion of the visible
spectrum, followed by the red portion
 Chlorophyll reflects light most strongly in the green portion of the visible
spectrum (hence the green colour of leaves)
The chloroplast pigments
There are two types of photosystem, photosystem I and photosystem II. The main wavelength of light
absorbed by photosystem I is 700 nm, while photosystem II absorbs mainly light of wavelength 680 nm.
An action spectrum is a graph showing the rate of
photosynthesis at different wavelengths of light.
Relationship between Photosynthesis and Cell Respiration
A simplified diagram of a photosystem found in the membrane of
the thylakoids. The pigments in the photosystem absorb light
energy, and this excites electrons (e–).
 Water
Light Energy Light-Dependent Reactions
(Thylakoid Membranes)
Oxygen

ATP Reduce NADP

Carbon Dioxide Light-Independent Reactions Glucose

(Stroma)
 Stroma

Thylakoid
Interior

A diagram of the thylakoid membrane, including the associated photosystems, carrier proteins, and ATP
synthase.
A diagram to show the initial movement of electrons down the electron transport chain and
the active transport of hydrogen ions from the stroma to the interior space of the thylakoid.
A diagram to show the movement of electrons through photosystem I, a
protein carrier, and the enzyme NADP+ reductase. NADP+reductase catalyzes
the addition of a hydrogen ion and two electrons to NADP+ to form NADPH.
A diagram to show cyclic photophosphorylation that, unlike noncyclic
photophosphorylation, only uses photosystem I and does not produce NADPH.
Cyclic Photophosphorylation takes place when the chloroplats required an increased amount of ATP
Carbon Fixation
Reduction
Reduction
Regeneration
Regeneration
Regeneration
Regeneration
Regeneration
Each turn of calvin cycle takes in one
carbon atom from CO2. Major product is
Glucose (6C). So Calvin Cycle has to turn six
times to make one molecule of glucose.
Some of ATP is removed from the cycle and
used by the plant cell to make glucose and
other molecules such as lipids and amino
acid.
Limiting Factors
Limitin A limiting factor is where the rate of
g photosynthesis will not increase unless the
limiting factor is increased
Factors
Limitin • Light will be the limiting factor between dusk and
dawn (night time), and also during winter months.

g • Temperature is the limiting factor during cold

winter months.

Factors • Carbon dioxide is the limiting factor during the day

in most climates, as the concentration of CO2 is very
low (approx. 0.04%)
At High CO2 Concentration, rate levels off,
as the enzymes required is saturated
At the high temperatures,
the rate falls as enzyme
denature
 Light intensity is not the
limiting factor

Light Saturation Point

ATP Levels and reduced NADP low

Light Intensity
Water not usually to be a limiting
factor even though water is If, water becomes scarce
required for photosynthesis

Close their Stomata

Reduce the rate of

Transpiration

CO2 Concentration becomes Prevents CO2 from

the limiting factor diffuse into leaves

Water will limit the rate of photosynthesis in the dry season/summer

months, and also when the ground is frozen in colder climates.
 Low
Light
Intensity
 Low CO2
Concentration
The interactions of light, CO2 and
Temperature on Photosynthesis!
Light provides the energy for photosynthesis pigments to convert Carbon
Dioxide and Water into Glucose and Oxygen.
The “Optimum” temperature for photosynthesis depends on the
concentration of Carbon Dioxide.

Figure 1 (top). An illustration of how plants can use more light for photosynthesis
when the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2) increases. The dots indicate the
light saturation points, and above these values, additional light does not increase
photosynthesis.
Figure 2 (bottom). Photosynthesis of many plants increases as both temperature
and especially CO2 increase, until maximum values. These curves illustrate that
the temperature for maximum photosynthesis increases when CO 2 is enriched.
How Does Chloroplast Protect
Chlorophyll Against Excessive
Light?
How Does Chloroplast Protect
Chlorophyll Against Excessive
Light?
Carotenoids protect chlorophyll
through several mechanisms:
• Light Absorption: Carotenoids
absorb excess light energy,
particularly in the blue and green
wavelengths, which helps prevent
chlorophyll from becoming
overwhelmed by light.
• Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS)
Scavenging: Carotenoids can
neutralize harmful reactive oxygen
species that can form under
excessive light conditions, reducing
oxidative stress on chlorophyll.
 Photosynthesis QUIZ

The graph shows the effect on the levels of GP and TP in a chloroplast when it is
exposed to light, dark and then light again. Describe and explain these results!
 QUIZ

What are the possible limiting factors

in each area of ​the graph?

• A to B
• B to C
• A to D
• D to E
• A to F
• F to G
o From A to B, the limiting factor is light; you can tell this because
increasingthe light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis.
o From B to C, temperature is the limiting factor; you can tell it is
not light because increasing light intensity has no effect;
increasing temperature does increase rate – see the line above.
o From A to D, the limiting factor is light; you can tell this because
increasingthe light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis.
o From D to E, carbon dioxide concentration is the limiting factor;
increasing carbon dioxide concentration increases rate – see the
top line on the graph.
o From A to F, the limiting factor is light; you can tell this because
increasingthe light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis.
o From F to G, either temperature or carbon dioxide concentration
could be the limiting factor.
QUIZ - Impact of Climate Change
on Photosynthesis
A study shows that the increase in global
temperatures due to climate change can affect the
process of photosynthesis in plants. In this context,
consider the following:

• How can rising temperatures affect the rate of

photosynthesis?
• Discuss the potential impacts of changing
photosynthesis rates on ecosystems and food
security.
• What steps can be taken to minimize the
negative impacts of climate change on
photosynthesis and agriculture?

Instructions:
• Use relevant scientific data and concepts to
support your arguments.
• Include social and ethical perspectives in your
response.
 Answer
Increased temperatures can enhance
the rate of photosynthesis up to a
certain point, as higher temperatures
can accelerate the chemical reactions
involved in the process.

However, if the temperature is too

high, the enzymes involved in
photosynthesis may denature,
reducing the efficiency of the
process.

Additionally, heat stress can cause

stomata to close to reduce water loss,
which also decreases the carbon
dioxide available to the plants and
lowers the rate of photosynthesis.
The
Ingenhousz
experiment

Jan Ingenhousz is yet another scientist

who contributed to the discovery of
photosynthesis. He was a Dutch
chemist, biologist and physiologist who
performed important experiments in
the late 1770s that proved that plants
produce oxygen.
 The Ingenhousz experiment

Ingenhousz placed submerged plants in sunlight and then in the shade. He noticed that small bubbles
were produced by the plants when they were in the sunlight.When they were transferred to the shade
bubbles were no longer produced by these plants.