Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide + water –(using sunlight and chlorophyll)–> oxygen + glucose
What factors limit the rate of photosynthesis in plants?
- Carbon dioxide
- Water
- light energy
- temperature
- amount of chlorophyll
- pH of soil
How do plants use the glucose that they make?
It is used for energy and to make cellulose (to build cell walls) and starch (food source).
What extra materials do plant cells need to produce proteins?
Nitrates from the soil is needed to bond with glucose to make amino acids.
What is a practical test for starch (in a plant)?
You can use an iodine test:
1. Boil the leaf of the plant in alcohol (to remove chlorophyll)
2. Put a few drops of iodine solution on it.
3. If it turns blue, starch is present.
What is a practical test for sugar (in a plant)?
Use Benedict’s solution:
1. Add benedict’s solution to the plant
2. Heat in a water bath
3. If it turns orange-red then sugar is present
What is a practical test for protein (in a plant)?
You use copper sulphate solution and sodium hydroxide solution:
1. Add the two solutions
2. If it turns purple then protein is present.
What is a vertical farm?
A vertical farm is where you grow plants indoors in a controlled environment. They are generally in very tall buildings, to make the most of the space.
What are the pros and cons of vertical farms?
Pros:
- save space
- faster harvests
- less travel for food
- more nutrition
- save resources
- better for environment
- more control
- no pests
- grow anything practically anywhere
Cons:
- high starting cost
- skilled maintenance needed
- Natural disaster could ruin everything
- pollination
- lack of jobs for traditional farmers
How can humans manipulate the different limiting factors of photosynthesis to get the best plants?
CO2 - add a fan to circulate it
Water - computer regulate it
Light - use LED lights
Chlorophyll - add magnesium, nitrogen, manganese or iron.
pH - don’t use soil! use hydroponics instead
Temperature - have a temperature regulator