5.1 Photosynthesis

• What is the equation for respiration in plants?

  C6H12O6 + 6O2 --> 6CO2 + 6H2O
• NADP is the electron carrier used in photosynthesis.
• What agricultural practices can be used to optimise the levels of limiting factors? How would this lead to increased productivity and yields?

  We can use artificial light to provide more light energy.

  We can use heaters to provide the optimum temperature.

  We can burn fossil fuels to provide more carbon dioxide.

  
  

  As a result of this there will be more glucose for respiration, providing the energy required for growth.
• During photosynthesis, plants produce organic compounds which contain carbon, such as carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Most of the sugars synthesised by plants are used by the plant in respiration . The rest are used to make other groups of biological molecules. These biological molecules form the biomass of the plants. Biomass can be measured in terms of mass of carbon per given area per given time. The chemical energy store in dry biomass can be estimated using calorimetry .
• The pigments in leaves are different colours. Suggest and explain the

  advantage of having different coloured pigments in leaves.

  To absorb more wavelengths of light for photosynthesis.