Bioenergetocs Flashcards
What is photosynthesis
The process by which plants make glucose from sunlight. It’s an endothermic reaction
What does endothermic and exothermic means
It requires energy
It releases energy
What is the word equation of photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide+water—>glucose+oxygen
What is the symbol equation of photosynthesis
6CO2+6H2O—> C6H12O6 + 6O2
What are the 4 limiting factors of photosynthesis
Temperature
Light intensity
Concentration of carbon dioxide
Amount of chlorophyll
What is the effect of temperature on photosynthesis
With an increase in temperature the rate of photosynthesis increases. There is more kinetic energy so molecules are more likely to collide. As the reaction is controlled by enzymes this trend continues up to a certain temperature until the enzymes begin to denature and the rate of reaction decreases
What is the effect of light intensity during photosynthesis
As light increases light is the limiting factor. The rate then remains constant when something else is limiting such as temperature
How does the concentration of carbon dioxide affect the rate of reaction
As carbon dioxide increases its the limiting factor because more carbon dioxide equals more reactants for photosynthesis. The rate then remains constant when something else is limiting such as temp
How does the amount of chlorophyll affect the rate of reaction rate
Chlorophyll is a pigment in the lead that converts light energy to food for the plant and is therefore essential. If for example chlorophyll levels are reduced through a magnesium deficiency then the rate of photosynthesis decreases
When would CO2 concentration become the limiting factor
In warm and bright conditions
When would light intensity become the limiting factor
When it’s night or it’s dark
When is temperature the limiting factor
When it’s winter
When is the amount of chlorophyll the limiting factor
If plants are grown in mineral deficient soil they may not absorb enough minerals to produce lots of chlorophyll
How are conditions varied to ensure that plants photosynthesise for as long as possible
The temperature is maintained at optimum
Carbon dioxide levels are increased
Level of nutrients such as nitrate ions must be monitored to ensure optimum growth
This increase the yield meaning more profits
What are the disadvantages of greenhouses
Cost-however if lighting and heating are very expensive it may not be possible to spend money on increasing the light intensity and temp of a green house
What are the uses of glucose
In resperation
Converted into insoluble starch for storage (roots stems and leaves)
To produce fat or oil for storage in seeds
To produce cellulose to strengthen cell walls
Combined with nitrates to form amino acids which produce proteins
