Biology Lab

Semester 2, April 3rd, 2021

Dr. Nguyễn Hồng Lan
Full name: Trần Thu Anh
Student ID: BTBTIU20003
Group: 01

PRE-LABS BIOLOGY
Practical 3: PHOTOSYNTHESIS & TRANSPIRATION

Suggested Question

What are autotrophs and heterotrophs? Give each one example.

Autotrophs are known as producers because they are able to make their own food from raw
materials and energy.
Examples: plants, algae, and some types of bacteria.
Heterotrophs are known as consumers because they consume producers or other
consumers.
Examples: Dogs, birds, fish, and humans

What is “photosynthesis”? How many stages are there in the photosynthesis?

Describe.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, some bacteria, and some protistans use the
energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which can then be converted into ATP, the "fuel"
used by all living things via the cellular respiration process.

Photosynthesis takes place in two stages: light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle
(light-independent reactions). Light-dependent reactions, which take place in the thylakoid
membrane, use light energy to make ATP and NADPH.

The overall photosynthesis reaction can be summarized as follow:

6H2O + 6CO2 -----> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Where is the chlorophyll distributed in plants and animals?

Chlorophyll is found in virtually all photosynthetic organisms, including green plants,

cyanobacteria, and algae. Several modifications of chlorophyll occur among plants and other
autotrophic organisms. Chlorophyll is embedded in the membrane of a specific structure
called thylakoid. This is the unit of photosynthesis.

What is the function of chlorophyll?

Photosynthesis is associated with the activities of the green pigment chlorophyll as it helps
to channel the energy of sunlight into chemical energy. With photosynthesis, chlorophyll
absorbs energy and then transforms water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and
carbohydrates. Chlorophyll, the green pigment common to all photosynthetic cells, absorbs
all wavelengths of visible light except green, which reflects the green color to be seen by our
eyes.
Define the terms “transpiration” and “respiration”. What is the difference between
them?

Transpiration is the loss of water into the atmosphere due to the opening of the stomata of
leaves

Respiration is the release of energy from the breakdown of the sugars created in
photosynthesis. The process of metabolizing (burning) sugars to yield energy for growth,
reproduction, and other life processes

The difference: Respiration occurs 24/7, while transpiration occurs while there is sunlight.

What are stomata and guardcells? Describe their distribution on the leaf.

The leaves contain specialized structures known as stomata to allow gas to enter and leave
the leaf. This is especially important for the photosynthesis process. Carbon dioxide cannot
pass through the protective waxy layer covering the leaf (cuticle), but it can enter the leaf
through an opening the stoma flanked by two guard cells. Likewise, oxygen produced during
photosynthesis can only pass out of the leaf through the opened stomata.

Guard cells are cells surrounding each stoma. They help to regulate the rate of transpiration
by opening and closing the stomata.