11.1 Overview of photosynthesis Flashcards
what is the structure of the leaf
- waxy cuticle
- upper epidermis
- palisade mesophyll
- spongy mesophyll
- lower epidermis (+guard cells +stomata)
what are the adaptations of the leaf for photosynthesis (8/9)
- large SA
- arrangement of leaves (less overlapping)
- thin
- transparent cuticle
- long, narrow palisade mesophyll
- many stomata + open and close
- many air spaces in spongy mesophyll
- network of xylem and phloem
how does large SA help
absorbs as much sunlight as possible
how does no overlapping help
avoids shadowing of leaves
how does thinness help
- most light absorbed in few micrometers
- short diffusion pathway
how does a transparent cuticle help
lets light through into photosynthetic cells
how does long, narrow palisade mesophyll cells help
- more packed
- have chloroplasts that collect sunlight
how does great no. of stomata and them opening and closing help?
- short diffusion pathway between mesophyll cells
- response to changes in light intensity
how does air spaces in the spongy mesophyll?
- allow rapid diffusion in the gas phase of CO2 and O2
how does a network of xylem and phloem help
- brings water to the leaf cells
- carries away the sugars produced during photosynthesis
what are the main three stages to photosynthesis?
- capturing of light energy
- the light-dependent reaction (LDR)
- the light-independent reaction (LIR)
what parts of chloroplasts are adapted to carry out the light dependent reaction
- Thylakoid membranes - large surface area for chlorophyll, electron carriers and enzymes to attach
- Proteins in grana - hold chlorophyll in precise place for max absorption of light
- ATP synthase in thylakoid membranes - ATP production
how are thylakoid membranes adapted for LDR
- large SA for chlorophyll, e- carriers and enzymes to attach
how are proteins grana adapted for LDR
- hold chlorophyll in precise place for max absorption of light
how are ATP synthase in thylakoid membranes adapted for LDR
ATP production
