Life Processes Flashcards
Define photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to produce glucose for cellular respiration
What is the equation for photosynthesis
carbon dioxide + water + sunglight –> oxygen + glucose
Where does the light-dependent reaction take place
Thylakoid membrane within the chloroplast
Where does the light-independent reaction take place
Stroma of the chloroplast
How is light energy absorbed
Light energy is absorbed by the pigment chlorophyll in the chloroplasts. This light energy splits the water molecule into hydrogen & oxygen
Where is carbon dioxide absorbed
Stomata
Where is water absorbed
Plant roots
Do shade plants have bigger chloroplasts, if so why or why not?
Shade plants have bigger chloroplasts, so they can photosynthesis sufficiently due to increased surface area
Do non-shaded plants have bigger chloroplasts, if so why or why not?
Non-shaded plants do not need bigger chloroplasts as they already have enough light energy
Describe & explain the effect if enough water is not provided
Water is required for photosynthesis, so if enough water is not provided, the reaction slows down & does not have enough energy needed for other life processes such as cellular respiration. The plant will not be able to perform the reaction & will wilt & die
Describe & explain the effect if the amount of water is increased
If there is an increased amount of water, the reaction will increase to a certain limit, after a further increase will no longer affect the rate. Due to an increase, the limiting factors would also need to increase to bring a further increase in the rate
Describe & explain how different intensities of light provide different amounts of energy
If there is low light, the chloroplasts will move in order to get more light, ensuring that the maximum surface area faces the light.
If there is too much light, it can damage the chloroplast, so the chloroplasts will move to reduce this light exposure
Describe & explain the effect temperature has
If the temperature is surrounding the plant is warm, the enzymes will collide with more substrates, increasing the frequency of collisions and a faster rate of photosynthesis
However, if the temperature is too hot, the enzymes will denature, resulting in the active site changing its shape, in which case the reaction would stop
Define cell respiration
Cell respiration is the process by which organisms obtain energy from organic molecules such as fat, sugar & protein needed for cellular life processes
What is the purpose of cell respiration
The purpose of cell respiration is to the provide cells with enough energy needed to function
What is the equation for cell respiration
glucose + oxygen –> carbon dioxide + water + energy
Where does aerobic respiration occur
Mitochondria
Define aerobic respiration
Respiration using oxygen to break down food molecules
Define anaerobic respiration
Respiration without using oxygen to break down food molecules
Where does anaerobic respiration occur
cytoplasm of an animal cell