Flashcards in Photosynthesis Deck (27)
Balanced Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis
6Co2 + 6 H2O = C6H1206 + 6O2
Explain the benefits of a leaf having a large surface area.
The larger surface area the more chance of exposure to sunlight that it has.
What is the cuticle in a plant.
A waxy layer on outer surface of epidermal cells which prevents the leaf from loosing water.
Photosynthesis is the process where light energy is transformed into chemical energy and is stored as sugars.
What is the role of the stomata in a plant?
Provides access into the leaf for carbon dioxide.
What is the role f the xylem vessels?
Supply water form the roots to the cells of the leaf.
Where does photosynthesis occur?
Chlorophyll is a photosynthetic pigment which absorbs blue and red light. They reflect green, hence the colour of plants.
Which form of chlorophyll has direct involvement with photosynthesis?
Why is it a benefit to have other pigments?
Other pigments such as chlorophyll b absorb light and transfer it to chlorophyll a, thus broadening the range of different wavelengths that can drive photosynthesis.
Where does the light-dependent stage occur?
List inputs for the light dependent stage
-ADP + Pi
List outputs for the light dependent stage
-Oxygen (waste product)
Explain briefly what happens in the light dependent stage
1. Light energy is trapped in the chlorophyll causing electrons to become excited.
2. The electrons drive photolysis: The splitting of a water molecule into hydrogen ions, oxygen gas and electrons are also relased
3. NADP joins with a hydrogen ion to for NADPH
4. ADP+ Pi forms ATP
What drives the second stage of photosythesis
The NADPH AND ATP from the first stage/
What is the light independent stage also known as?
The Calvin Cycle
Inputs of the Calvin Cycle
Outputs of the calvin cycle
ADP + Pi
Briefly explain the steps of the calvin cycle
1. Co2 molecues in the stroma combine with a 5C compound called RuBP. The enzyme that joins these two is called RiBisCo. This is called carbon fixation
2. A 6C compound splits in 2 3C compounds
3. ATP and NADPH are used to rearrange the structre of the molecules in a number of steps to form 2 triosphosphate molecules.
4. A 3C sugar compound is released to form glucose.
5. The remaingin molecules reform RuBP
What are the main factors that affect the photosynthetic Rate?
What are the main parts in a chloroplast?
Word equation for photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide + water -------> (in the presecence of light (energy) and chlorophyll)) yields glucose and oxygen1
Self feeding organisms that synthesis their own organic molecules
Animals receiving their energy from other organisms
Where does the LD stage occur?
Where does the LID occur