Photosynthesis

What is needed for

photosynthesis?

What is needed for

photosynthesis?

Why do plants need to

undergo Photosynthesis?

Why do plants need to

undergo Photosynthesis?
Plants are autotrophs they
get their food by producing it
themselves to make energy

What is the Goal of Photosynthesis?

To produce glucose!!!

Photosynthesis:
The

process by which plants manufacture

carbohydrates from raw materials using
energy from light
6CO2
+ 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carbon dioxide + Water Glucose +Oxygen

Light energy

Where

does photosynthesis
take place?

Where does photosynthesis take

place?
The chloroplast: A double
membrane-bound organelle
Primarily in pallisade mesophyll
cells and spongy mesophyll cells

Inside the Chloroplast

Chlorophyll
A green pigment found within
the chloroplast
Absorbs light in the blue, violet
and red wavelengths to obtain
the energy for photosynthesis
Made of magnesium

The 2 stages of photosynthesis

The

light dependant reaction

The light independent reaction

The 2 stages of photosynthesis

The

lightdependant reaction : Stage

where light energy from the sun is
converted to chemical energy

The

lightindependent reaction : Stage

where glucose is produced by reducing
carbon dioxide. (the energy for this
stage comes from the light dependant
reaction

The leaf

So what happens to all

of the glucose?

Why is photosynthesis important to us?

The chemical energy produced

is transferred to us when we
eat plants
Produces oxygen for us to
breath
Energy for fossil fuels and
biofuels

Check point questions

What

is the chemical equation for

photosynthesis?
What are the two stages of
photosynthesis?
Where does photosynthesis occur?
What is the part of the leaf that opens
and closes to exchange gases?
In what form is energy in the plant stored?

Limiting factors of photosynthesis

Limiting

factors: Something
present in the environment in
such short supply that it
restricts life processes

Limiting factors in photosynthesis

Light
Carbon

dioxide concentration
Temperature

Understanding Limiting Factor Graphs

Optimum environment glasshouse

systems
Carbon

dioxide enrichment
Optimum light
Optimum temperature

Ornamental plants
1. The temperature and the
amount of light in the
greenhouse or nursery can be
controlled to suit different
plants.
2. Ornamental plants are
normally planted in pots,
in a greenhouse or
nursery.

4. Adequate spacing
between pots of plants
prevents them from
competing for sunlight.

3. The amount of water can

be controlled for plants
grown in greenhouses
and nurseries.

5. Fertilisers are used to

provide plants with
adequate nutrients.

Large-scale crops
1. The temperature and the
amount of light cannot be
controlled. Both depend on the
weather. A shade might be
used if the weather is too hot.
2. Large-scale crop plants are
grown in large quantities and
require large plots of land.
3. Water comes from rain and
irrigation canals. It cannot be
controlled. Drainage systems are
used to prevent the land from
flooding during heavy rainfalls.

4. Adequate spacing allows

healthy growth and
prevents overcrowding.
5. Besides providing plants
with nutrients, fertilisers
also improve the soil
quality and increase
crop yields.

How are leaves adapted? P.131

Petiole (leaf stalk) : holds leaf up for max. light
Thin broad lamina : short distance for diffusion
Waxy cuticle and epidermis : reduces water loss
Stomata : allows the exchange of gases
Palisade mesophyll : has many chloroplast and
chlorophyll to take in and convert sunlight energy
Spaces between spongy mesophyll : for rapid
diffusion of gases and water vapour
Veins: contain xylem and phloem for water, mineral
and sugar transport

Desert Plant Adaptations

Small

leaves reduce the

surface area to volume
ratio so less water is
lost through evaporation
Plants have deep roots
to find water or shallow
but long roots to
maximize water
absorption after a
rainstorm.

Desert Plant Adaptations

Plants

have swollen
stems (cacuts) or
leaves to store water
and some plants
dont have leaves at
all.
Waxy cuticle reduces
water lost from
transpiration

Desert Plant and windy areas :

Adaptations
Sunken stomata
(reduce water loss
from wind and traps
humidity to lessen
water lost.
Hairs trap water and
lessen concentration
gradient of water

Submerged aquatic plant

adaptations
Plant

roots are flexible and

shallow as they are used for
anchorage and not water
absorption.
Lack of waxy cuticle
All cells can absorb water
Usually have air pockets for
floatation

Floating Plant Adaptations

Leaves

may have trapped air

pockets so that they float
Stomata are located in the upper
epidermis for gas exchange
Thorns on the bottom of the
leaves or the stem ensure that
fish dont eat the plants.
Roots are shallow and used for
anchorage rather than water
absorption.

Summary

How are roots adapted?

Roots are branched and spread out for two
reasons:
to absorb water (and mineral salts) from a large
amount of soil.
to anchor the plant in the soil.
Taking a closer look, roots are covered in root hair
cells.
Root hair cells have thin walls and a large
surface area to help them absorb lots of water. water

Summary
Plants

are adapted for all different

types of environments depending on
the limiting factors.
The leaves are often adapted, but
other adaptions can include the
plant location and what season the
plant grows during.

Venus fly trap and pitcher plants

(carnivores plants)

Cyanobacteria

Minerals in plants
Mineral salts are needed for plants growth
Absorbed by the roots:
Magnesium ions used to make chlorophyll
Nitrate ions used to make amino acids (to make
proteins)
Phosphates are used for making DNA and
respiration

Lack of nutrients - deficiency

When

there is a lack of certain

nutrients the plant will react in
different ways.

They

might not have little

growth in leaves or stems

Mineral

Use

Deficiency symptoms

Explanation

Nitrate ions (NO3) Building proteins and

growth

Poor growth and yellow

leaves

All amino acids contain

nitrogen. Amino acids are the
building blocks of protein.

Phosphate ions
(PO4)

Respiration and
growth

Poor root growth and

discoloured leaves

A component of DNA molecules

and cell membranes

Potassium ions
(K+)

Respiration and
photosynthesis

Poor flower and fruit

growth, discoloured
leaves

Must be present for

photosynthesis and respiration
enzymes to work

Magnesium ions
(Mg2+)

Photosynthesis

Yellow leaves

Chlorophyll molecules contain

magnesium ions. It's the
magnesium that makes
chlorophyll green.

Glucose
Type of Function
synthesized into: sugar
glucose

Mono-

Sucrose

Di-

Energy in the
mitochondria.
Transported in the phloem

Cellulose

Poly-

Makes the cell wall.

starch

Poly-

Used for long term energy

storage.
Used for making protein.

Amino acids

What about too much minerals? Say nitrogen

or phosphorus?

 What

does nitrogen help with for plants?

How can nitrogen cause plant loss?
What may cause an increase in wild fires?
What is mineral depletion?
What happens to lake if there is an increase
nitrogen levels?
Why do oxygen levels drop in some lakes? (why is
this bad)
What can happen to babies/elderly with increase
nitrogen levels. Explain why

Conclusion
Minerals

are important for plant

development: (ex. Nitrate for protein
synthesis and Magnesium for chlorophyll
synthesis)
HOWEVER if they are overused there are
consequences such as overgrowth of
invasive plants, death of other species of
plants and even animals

Workbook p.49 - 59