8.

3 Photosynthesis Photosynthesis
Labelled diagram of chloroplast Describe the absorbance spectrum (with diagram) Explain the action potential and link it to the absorbance spectrum (+
• Chloroplasts absorb blue and red light the most. They do not
diagram)
absorb green light well and instead, reflect it. That’s why
their leaves look green.
• Light energy that is absorbed drives photosynthesis.
• The areas of the graph with high absorbance will also have high rates
• The areas of the graph with high absorbance will also have of photosynthesis.
high rates of photosynthesis. • The higher rates of photosynthesis correlate with the wavelengths of light that
are absorbed the most.

Light independent reactions overview (bullet points and diagram)

Light dependent reactions overview (bullet points and diagram)

• Happen in the thylakoids. Happen in the stroma.

• Chlorophyll absorbs light --> production of ATP and hydrogen (carried by NADPH)-> site of
ATP (chemical E) the light independent reactionS
• Water also absorbs light --> splits into O2 Hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide to
and H2 by photolysis form complex organic compounds (E.g:
• Hydrogen and ATP are used in light carbonhydrates, amino acids,…)
independent reactions + O2 released from ATP provides the required energy to power the
stomata as a waste product anabolic reactions.
8.3 Photosynthesis Photosynthesis
Outline the method for separating different photopigments by paper chromatography Diagrams of how to investigate the effect of light intensity, carbon dioxide and temperature
on photosynthesis (separately)
1. The chromatographic paper is suspended and immersed in
the solvent.
2. The photosynthetic pigments which are chlorophyll,
xanthophylls and carotene are placed near the bottom of the
chromatographic paper but above the solvent line.
3. As the solvent is absorbed by the paper, the solvent carrier
with it the different pigments and they are carried different
distances based on their polarity and molecular size.
Explain how light intensity can be a limiting factor in Explain how carbon dioxide can be a limiting factor in Explain how temperature can be a limiting factor in
photosynthesis (include a graph) photosynthesis (include a graph) photosynthesis (include a graph)

• Light is absorbed by chlorophyll, which
convert the radiant energy into
chemical energy (ATP)
• As light intensity increases reaction rate
will increase, as more chlorophyll
are being photo-activated
• At a certain light intensity photosynthetic
rate will plateau, as all
available chlorophyll are saturated
with light
• Different wavelengths of light will have
different effects on the rate
of photosynthesis (e.g. green light is
reflected)
• Carbon dioxide is involved in the fixation of
carbon atoms to form organic molecules
• As carbon dioxide concentration increases
reaction rate will increase, as more organic
molecules are being produced
• At a certain concentration of
CO2 photosynthetic rate will plateau, as
the enzymes responsible for carbon
fixation are saturated
• Photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes, which
are sensitive to temperature fluctuations​
• As temperature increases reaction rate will
increase, as reactants have greater kinetic
energy and more collisions result​
• Above a certain temperature the rate of
photosynthesis will decrease as essential
enzyme active sites begin to denature