B4.1 - Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis equation

  6CO2+6H2O → C6H12O6+6O2

  Carbon Dioxide + Water -> Glucose + Oxygen
• Where does the energy for Photosynthesis come from?

  The sun's rays
• What are the factors affecting Photosynthesis?

  Light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature and water availability.
• Explain the light intensity graph

  The rate of Photosynthesis increases until a plateau, where another factor becomes limiting, and if the light increases to much, the temperature will denature the enzymes.

  
• Explain the CO2 concentration graph

  The rate of CO2 increases until a plateau where another factor becomes limiting.

  
• Explain the temperature graph

  The rate of Photosynthesis increases until a plateau where the heat denatures the plant and kills it.

  
• Inverse Proportion in Photosynthesis

  There is an inverse relationship between distance and light intensity - as the distance increases, light intensity decreases. This is because as the distance away from a light source increases, photons. of light become spread over a wider area. This is not linear. The equation for the light intensity is 1/Distance squared.
• Economic factors linked to Limiting Factors

  Limiting factors of photosynthesis reduce yields of crops and other economically-important plants. Conditions can be set up in greenhouses and outside tunnels to reduce the effects of limiting factors.
• What is a limiting factor?

  Anything that slows down a reaction because there isn't enough of it.
• What do plants use glucose for?

  RESPIRATION, MAKING FRUITS, MAKING CELL WALLS, MAKING PROTEINS, STORED IN SEEDS AND STORED AS STARCH. PLANTS MAKE GLUCOSE IN THEIR LEAVES AND THEY USE SOME OF IT FOR RESPIRATION.
• What do plants use nitrate ions absorbed from the soil for?

  Ammonia is converted to nitrates by nitrifying bacteria. in the soil. Plants absorb nitrates from the soil and use these to build up proteins. The plant may be eaten by an animal, and its biomass used to produce animal protein.