Productivity and Limiting Factors Flashcards
What is photosynthesis
Tightly coupled rxn
Light energy drives reduction of CO2 to sugar
Limiting Factor
Environmental factor that slows or stops process
Light is a limiting factor, but CO2 and H2O are not
What limits photosyntheis
Major limiting factor is light
Nutrients can also be limiting
What do sugars require
C H O
What do proteins require
C H O N metals
What do lipids require
C H O P
What do nucleic acids require
C H O P N
Where is Carbon sourced from
CO2, HCO3, CO3
Where is Oxygen sourced from
H2O and O2
Where is nitrogen sourced from
NO3, NH4, NO2, urea
Where is phosphorus sourced from
PO4 and HPO4
Where is silica sourced from
H4SiO4 – silicic acid
Main limitations to phytoplankton growth during different seasons
A: Winter
B: Spring
C: Late Summer
A: Light
B: Grazing and nutrients
C: Nutrients
What is the difference between photosynthesis and productivity
Photosynthesis is a specific reaction to convert CO2 to sugar – phytoplankton
Productivity is the creation of organic matter – all organisms
Biomass units
grams or moles / volume
