photosynthesis

• What is photosynthesis?

  A chemical reaction converting light to chemical energy
• What is the word equation for photosynthesis?

  Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
• Why is photosynthesis important?

  It produces glucose and oxygen for organisms
• What are the key products of photosynthesis?

  • Glucose for energy
  • Oxygen for respiration
• Where does photosynthesis take place?

  Within chloroplasts
• What is required for photosynthesis?

  Carbon dioxide, water, light, and chlorophyll
• What is the role of carbon dioxide in photosynthesis?

  Provides carbon and oxygen found in glucose
• What is the role of water in photosynthesis?

  Provides hydrogen and releases oxygen as a by-product
• Why is light required for photosynthesis?

  It provides energy for chemical reactions
• What is chlorophyll?

  A pigment that absorbs light in chloroplasts
• What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

  1. Light energy splits water into oxygen and hydrogen ions
  2. Carbon dioxide combines with hydrogen ions to form glucose
• What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  Temperature, light intensity, and CO2 concentration

  
• What is a limiting factor?

  A variable that limits the rate of a reaction
• How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  • Higher temperatures increase enzyme activity
  • Optimum temperature is usually 25°C
  • Too high (around 45°C) denatures enzymes

  
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis as temperature increases?

  It increases until enzymes denature

  
• How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  Rate is directly proportional to light intensity

  
• Why does the rate of photosynthesis plateau with increased light intensity?

  Another factor becomes limiting, like CO2

  
• How does carbon dioxide concentration affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  • Rate increases with higher CO2 concentration
  • Eventually plateaus when another factor limits

  
• When does temperature become a limiting factor?

  When it drops too low on cold days
• When does light intensity become a limiting factor?

  At night when there is no light
• When does carbon dioxide concentration become a limiting factor?

  When light and temperature are not limiting
• How is glucose used by the plant?

  • Used in respiration for energy
  • Converted to starch or oils for storage
  • Transported as sucrose to other areas
  • Converted to cellulose for cell walls
  • Used to form proteins with nitrates