Photosynthesis

• What is the main process described in the study material?

  Photosynthesis
• What are the main components of the light independent reaction in photosynthesis?

  • The Calvin cycle
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)
  • Glycerate-3-phosphate (GP)
  • Triose phosphate (TP)
  • Hexose sugar
• What is the 5C compound that takes up carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle?


  Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)
• What happens to carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle?


  It is fixed into a carbohydrate compound.
• What enzyme catalyzes the reaction of carbon dioxide with ribulose bisphosphate?


  RUBISCO
• What does the unstable 6C compound break down into?


  2x 3C compounds called glycerate-3-phosphate (GP).
• How is glycerate-3-phosphate (GP) converted into triose phosphate (TP)?

  It is reduced by reduced NADP and uses energy from ATP.
• What is produced from the triose phosphates in the Calvin cycle?

  A hexose sugar and ribulose phosphate.
• What is the hexose sugar produced in the Calvin cycle?


  Glucose (actually fructose bisphosphate).
• What are the essential minerals mentioned in the study material?

  Nitrogen and Magnesium.
• What are the functions and deficiencies of Nitrogen and Magnesium in plants?


  • Nitrogen:
  • Function: Synthesis of proteins, nucleic acids, and chlorophylls
  • Deficiency: Reduced growth of all organs and yellowing of leaves (chlorosis)
  • Magnesium:
  • Function: Chlorophyll production
  • Deficiency: Yellowing of the leaves (chlorosis)

  
• What limits the rate of a physiological process according to the study material?


  The factor in shortest supply.
• How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?


  Increased light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis.
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when carbon dioxide is in short supply?


  The process of photosynthesis is limited.
• How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  Increased temperature can increase the rate until enzymes denature.
• What is the role of enzymes in the photosynthesis process?


  They facilitate reactions by increasing the rate of successful collisions.
• What can happen if the temperature exceeds the optimum for photosynthesis?


  It can cause denaturation of enzymes, limiting the rate of reaction.