Photosynthesis

• Where does photosynthesis occur?

  Chloroplasts in the leaves of a plant
• What is the name of the green pigment in the leaves?

  chlorophyll
• What type of reaction is photosynthesis?

  endothermic
• What type of energy is used in photosynthesis?

  light energy
• Give the word equation for photosynthesis.

  carbon dioxide + water ---> glucose + oxygen
• Give the balanced symbol equation for photosynthesis

  6CO2 + 6H2O ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2
• Define the term limiting factor

  Anything that limits the rate of a reaction when it is in short supply
• Give the limiting factors of photosynthesis

  Temperature, Carbon dioxide concentration, Light intensity, Amount of chlorophyll
• Describe how light intensity affects the rate of photosynthesis


  Increasing light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis until another factor becomes limiting
• Describe how carbon dioxide concentration affects the rate of photosynthesis

  Increasing carbon dioxide concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis until another factor becomes limiting
• Describe how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis

  Increasing temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis as the reaction rate increases - at high temperatures enzymes are denatured so the rate of photosynthesis quickly decreases
• Give the equation for the inverse square law for light intensity

  light intensity ⍺ 1/distance ² 
• Why are limiting factors important in the economics of growing plants in greenhouses?

  Greenhouses need to produce the maximum rate of photosynthesis while making profit
• How do plants use the glucose produced in photosynthesis?

  Respiration

  Convert it into insoluble starch for storage

  Produce fat or oil for storage

  Produce cellulose to strengthen the cell wall

  Produce amino acids for protein synthesis