Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis


  A process where plants and algae synthesise glucose from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy from the sun

  
• Photosynthesis word equation


  Carbon dioxide + water (+light energy) -> glucose + oxygen

  
• Balanced equation for photosynthesis

  6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2

  
• Glucose (C6H12O6)


  The main chemical product of photosynthesis that has many different uses in a plant, including respiration

  
• Oxygen (O2)


  A waste product of photosynthesis that leaves the plant through the stomata of the leaves or can be used for respiration

  
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)


  A reactant needed for photosynthesis to synthesise glucose, this gas enters the plant via gas exchange through the stomata of the leaves

  
• Water (H2O)


  A reactant needed for photosynthesis to take place, water is absorbed by the roots and is transported by the xylem to reach the leaves where photosynthesis occurs

  
• Endothermic reaction


  A chemical reaction where energy is taken in from the surrounding environment

  
• Chloroplast


  An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs

  
• Chlorophyll


  A green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis

  
• Temperature effect


  Photosynthesis rate increases to an optimum and then decreases due to denaturing enzymes

  
• Light intensity effect


  Photosynthesis rate increases as more energy is available, up to a certain point

  
• Carbon dioxide concentration effect


  Photosynthesis rate increases as more carbon is available to synthesise glucose, up to a certain point

  
• Photosynthetic rate


  The rate at which plants take in carbon dioxide, water and the energy from sunlight to produce glucose
• Limiting factor


  An environmental factor that prevents photosynthetic rate from increasing

  
• Insoluble starch


  A complex carbohydrate made from the products of photosynthesis and used for storage, stored in the leaves if photosynthesis can produce sufficient quantities of glucose

  
• Testing leaves for starch


  Plant leaves can be tested for the presence of starch using iodine solution, after the leaf has been intensely heated and submerged in ethanol

  
• Fats and oil


  Lipids which can be made from the products of photosynthesis for storage

  
• Cellulose


  Carbohydrate component of plant cell walls which can be made from the products of photosynthesis

  
• Amino acids


  Building blocks of protein which along with nitrates can be made from the products of photosynthesis