Plants & Food Flashcards
Whats starch?
The main storage of carbs made by plants.
A good way of storing carbs because its insoluble, compact and can be broken down easily.
How do you stop a leaf from producing starch?
Place it in a closed container containing soda lime. (It absorbs the CO2 from around the plant).
Whats starch made of?
A plant first produces glucose, which is then joined together in chains to form starch molecules.
Whats photosynthesis?
Plants use the simple inorganic molecules, water and CO2, in the presence of chlorophyll and light to make glucose and O2.
What the upper and lower epidermis?
The epidermis has few chloroplasts and are covered by a layer of waxy material called the cuticle. The lower epidermis has pores called stomata.
Whats stomata?
Allows CO2 to diffuse into the leaf, to reach the photosynthesize tissues, and it allows water vapor and O2 to diffuse out.
Whats the cuticle?
Reduces water loss by evaporation, and acts as a barrier to the entry of harmful microorganisms.
Whats the palisade mesophyll?
They are plant cells located right below the epidermis and cuticle. its the main site of photosynthesis?
Whats the spongy mesophyll?
Located below the palisade mesophyll. More rounded, loosely packed cells. They form main gas exchange surface of the leaf, absorbing CO2 and releasing O2 and water vapor.
Whats the xylem?
Vessels in the leaf that supply it with water and mineral ions.
Whats the phloem?
Photosynthesis products are carried away from the mesophyll cells by this transport system. It supplies all other parts of plant.
Whats nitrate used in plants?
Used for producing amino acids. A deficiency can lead to older leaves turning yellow.
Whats phosphate used for in plants?
Used for producing DNA. A deficiency can lead to poor root growth.
Whats potassium used for in plants?
Needed for photosynthesis to work. A deficiency can lead to leaves turning yellow with dead spots.
