plant nutrition

• define photosynthesis


  the process by which plants synthesise carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light
• what is the word equation for photosynthesis

  carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
• chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll which changes light energy into chemical energy in glucose
• three uses of glucose

  nectar, converted to starch, make cellulose
• three uses of glucose 


  converted to sucrose, respiration, form proteins
• nitrate ions are used to make amino acids and proteins for growth
• magnesium ions are used to make chlorophyll to trap light energy
• nitrate deficiency causes stunted growth and yellowed leaves
• magnesium deficiency causes lack of growth and yellow leaves
• a limiting factor is a factor present in such short supply it limits the process of photosynthesis