Biology- Photosynthesis

• What is Photosynthesis?

  Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy in the form of a sugar
• Where does photosynthesis take place?

  Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells. Chloroplasts contain a green pigment called chlorophyll which absorbs light energy for use in photosynthesis.
• Plants take in CO2 from the air through leaves via special holes on the underside of the leaf called stomata
• Plants absorb water from the soil using roots
• Plants take in light energy from the sun
• The leaves convert the water and carbon dioxide into glucose using the light absorbed from the sun.
• The process of photosynthesis produces oxygen as a waste product
• The glucose produced from photosynthesis can either be used in respiration transported to other parts of the plant, or converted to starch for storage
• Word equation for photosynthesis: Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
• Palisade tissue: long thin cells packed with chloroplasts to absorb light
• Stomata holes: allow gases to diffuse in and out
• Waxy cuticle: Layer found on top of the leaf that prevents water evaporating out
• Spongy layer: rounded cells which create air spaces for gases to diffuse
• Guard cell: control opening and closing of stomata
• Nitrates: used for making proteins for growth
• Magnesium: used for making chlorophyll
• Phosphates: used for healthy root growth
• Potassium: used for healthy flowers and leaves
• Nitrates deficiency disease: Stunted growth and older leaves turn yellow
• Magnesium deficiency disease: leaves turn yellow
• Phosphates deficiency disease: Poor root growth and purple leaves
• Potassium deficiency diseases: Yellow leaves with dead spots