Unit 3 Biology Flashcards
(67 cards)
What is the defintion of Photosynthesis?
A process carried out in organisms containing chlorophyll where light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water to make glucose and oxygen
What is the word equation for photosynthesis?
Carbon Dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen
What is the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis?
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
What is the use of photosynthesis?
To produce glucose for energy and growth in plants
Why is it important for plants to synthesise (produce) glucose? Name 3 points.
- Used as an an energy source for plants for growth, repair and active transport
- Glucose can be converted to starch for long-term energy storage
- To convert glucose into cellulose to make new cell walls
Describe and Explain the method to test a leaf to see if starch is present
1) Place the leaf in a beaker with boiling water using a bunsen burner to stop chemical reactions and break the cell membrane and waxy cuticle so iodine can enter the cytoplasm
2) Then, prepare a test tube with ethanol inside and place the leaf from the beaker into the test tube with ethanol
3) Place the test tube with ethanol and the leaf into a heated waterbath for 5 minutes which breaks down the chlorophyll making it easier to observe any colour change in the iodine.
4) Remove the leaf from the test tube and and rinse it in cold water to stop any chemical reactions
5) Place leaf on petri dish and add 5 drops of iodine on the leaf to test if starch is present
6) Observe the Colour Change:
* Blue-black colour = starch is present meaning photosynthesis HAS occured
* No colour change (Remains brown) = starch is not present meaning photosynthesis has NOT occured
How would you safely carry out the test for starch?
- Wear safety goggles so ethanol and boiling water wont go on eyes
- Tie up any loose hair so bunsen burners flame doesnt touch hair
Why is chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis?
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy which allows the plant to carry out photosynthesis
Why is carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide is used by plants in photosynthesis to produce glucose which plants need as a source of energy
Why is light necessary for photosynthesis?
Light provides the energy needed for the process of photosynthesis, allowing plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen
What is a limiting factor?
It is an environmental condition that directly affects the rate of photosynthesis
What are the 4 main limiting factors of photosynthesis?
- Light intensity
- Carbon dioxide concentration
- Chlorophyll levels
- Temperature
How do you preform the test to see if Chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis?
SAME STEPS AS TEST FOR STARCH BUT STEP 6 IS WHAT GETS YOU MARKS:
1) Place the variegated leaf in a beaker with boiling water using a bunsen burner
2) Then, prepare a test tube with ethanol inside and place the leaf from the beaker into the test tube with ethanol
3) Place the test tube with ethanol and the leaf into a heated waterbath for 5 minutes
4) Remove the leaf from the test tube and and rinse it in cold water
5) Place leaf on petri dish and add 5 drops of iodine on the leaf
6) Observe the Colour Change:
- The green parts of the variegated leaf will turn blue-black, indicating that starch is present in the areas of the leaf where chlorophyll is present. This shows that photosynthesis has occurred in areas where chlorophyll is present ONLY
- Whilst the parts which used to be white will turn brown (iodine colour)
How do you preform the test to see if Carbon Dioxide is needed for photosynthesis?
1) Place a de-starched plant inside a sealed bell jar consisting of either soda lime OR sodium hydroxide in order to absorb any CO2 which is in the sealed jar so we can get accurate results (photosynthesis can only occur when CO2 is there, but we need to remove it)
2) Then, leave the plant which was in the sealed jar with some light for 1 day
3) After 1day, test the leaf for starch (boil, ethanol, etc.) using iodine
4) Observe results:
- The plants leaf in the bell jar with the soda lime/sodium hydroxide will have a brown colour when tested for starch meaning that starch has not formed meaning photosynthesis has NOT occured when CO2 is not present. So CO2 IS needed for photosynthesis
How do you preform the test to see if Light is needed for photosynthesis?
1) Prepare a de-starched plant and cover one of the leaves with black tape down the middle in order to stop any light from entering the middle part of the leaf
2) Place the plant under a light source and make sure that light is spread evenly on the specific leaf with the tape and leave the plant for 1 day
3) Extract the leaf with the black tape and test it for starch (boiling, ethanol, etc.) using iodine
4) Observe the results:
- The area of the leaf which was not covered with the black paper (green parts) will turn blue-black which indicates that starch HAS formed so photosynthesis HAS occured in areas exposed to light so light IS needed for photosynthesis
- Whilst the area which was covered in black tape will have a brown colour which indicates thst starch has NOT formed so photosynthesis has NOT occured in areas NOT exposed to light
NOTE:
If you are asked to describe how to test for the necessity of light/chlorophyll/carbon dioxide, you only need to say “test for the presence of starch”, you do not need to describe the test for starch as well
ONLY as ONE of the steps, REMEMBER ONE ONLY
What is the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis?
As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases, but only up to a certain point. After reaching a maximum, further increases in light intensity do not affect the rate because another factor becomes limiting.
What is the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis?
Increasing carbon dioxide concentration causes an increase in the rate of photosynthesis, but only up to a certain level. Beyond this level, the rate of photosynthesis no longer increases as other factors limit the process
What is the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis?
The rate of photosynthesis increases with temperature up to an optimal point. As the tempeature increases from the optimal temperature, the rate decreases because enzymes for photosynthesis get damaged by excessive heat
How many layers are there on a leaf and what are they? (in order)
1) Waxy Cuticle
2) Upper Epidermis
3) Palisade Layer
4) Spongy Mesophyll
5) Lower Epidermis (Has stomata)
What is the vascular bundle?
The vascular bundle is a part of the plant’s transport system, made up of tube-like structures that carry water, minerals, and nutrients throughout the plant using the Xylem and Phloem
What is the use of the Waxy Cuticle?
It is a protective layer on top of the leaf which protects the leaf as it is waterproof and allows water to slide off
What is the use of the Upper Epidermis?
It is thin and transparent to maximize the amount of light intake into the palisade layer underneath it
What is the use of the Palisade Layer?
Has loads of plant cells which are tightly packed together with loads of chloroplasts to ABSORB more light, maximizing photosynthesis