plant nutrition and transport

• what is photosynthesis


  the process of converting light energy to chemical energy in plants
• what is the word equation of photosynthes?

  carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
• what's the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

  6CO2 + 6H20 -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
• How are leaves adapted for photosynthesis?

  • broad leaves to increase SA:V ratio
  • most chloroplast in palisade layer
  • waxy cuticle is clear allow light reach palisade layer
  • waxy cuticle reduces water loss
  • lower surface full of stomata to allow CO2 to diffuse in
• what are limiting factors of photosynthesis?

  Light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature.
• why do plants need nitrates?

  needed to make amino acids and proteins which are essential for growth and repair
• what happens if a plant doesn't have nitrates

  stunted growth and poor leaf growth
• what are phosphates used for in plant growth?

  making DNA & helps respiration and growth
• what happens if plants don't have phosphates?

  poor root growth and old leaves will be purple
• why do plants need potassium for growth?

  helps enzymes needed for photosynthesis and respiration
• what happens if a plant doesn't have potassium?

  poor flower and fruit growth & discoloured leaves
• why do plants need magnesium?

  needed to make chlorophyll
• what will happen to plants if they don't have magnesium

  yellow leaves, less photosynthesis
• what minerals are needed for growth?

  nitrates, phosphates, potassium and some magnesium
• what does the xylem do?

  transport water and minerals from the roots to the plant
• how is the xylem adapted

  made of dead lignified cells to easily transport water
• what does the phloem do?

  transports sugars and amino acids from leaves (where made) to other parts of the cell
• how are root hair cells adapted?

  • increases suraface area
  • once cell thick wall so diffusion is quick
• what affects the rate of transpiration?

  light intensity, temperature, windspeed, and humidity
• what is transpiration?


  the loss of water from the plant caused by evaporation and diffusion of water
• how is a transpiration stream formed?

  • evaporation of water at the leaves causes a slight shortage of water in the leaf
  • therefore more water is drawn up through the xylem
  • this makes a constant transpiration stream
• how do you measure transpiration?

  using a potometer