PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Conversion of carbon dioxide

into simple sugars
6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 +
6O2 + 6H2O
Plant Resources
Plants are autotrophs - make their own
organic carbon form inorganic nutrients
Need light, ions, inorganic molecules
Plants are sessile
Grow towards nutrients

Photosynthesis
involves gas
exchange

Controls on photosynthesis

Light
Water
Nutrients
Temperature

1. Light

2. Water

3. Nutrients
Macronutrients needed in
large amounts (e.g. C, H,
O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S)
Micronutrients trace
elements (e.g. Fe, Mn, B)
Micro/macro refer to the
quantity needed

Nutrient uptake rates

Reach plateau
with increasing
nutrient
concentration

4. Effects of temperature
= Condition
Increase temperature -->
increase biochemical reaction
rate
At high temperature,

enzymes
denature
--> death

Conditions and Resources

Conditions are physical / chemical
features of the environment
E.g. Temperature, humidity, pH,
etc.
Not consumed by living
organisms (but may still be
important to them)
Resources are consumed
Once used, they are unavailable
to other organisms
Plants: sunlight, water, mineral
nutrients,
Animals: prey organisms,
nesting sites,