COMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULE PHOTOSYNTHESIS. INTRODUCTION > Is the build-up of carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water using radiant energy from the sun that is trapped by chlorophyll. Oxygen is released, REQUIREMENTS © Carbon dioxide © Water © Radiant energy © Chlorophyl! © Enzymes PRODUCTS * Glucose, which is stored as starch '* Oxygen, released into the atmosphere Products 4 Chlorophyll CO, | | H.0 | | Radiante ——————> | Glucose |=] 02 Enaymes Requirements PLACE WHERE PHOTOSYNTHESIS TAKES PLACE ~The process of photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast. Adaptations of the chloroplast: -Membrane permeable to water and carbon dioxide -Grana contain chlorophyll to trap light lion ety of teat -lamellae have large surface area for absorption carton cd ‘of sunlight ‘Fig. 21.7 Structure of ehoroplest 1|Page COMPILED BY MR 'S.J SILAULECOMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULE PHOTOSYNTHESIS ~ THE PROCESS > The process of photosynthesis involves two stages: © Light phase © Dark phase LIGHT PHASE (Light dependent} > This phase takes pla in the presence of light. radiant energy "rom the sun —> 10 dark phase water from ff hea oo ‘© Takes place in the Grana of the chloroplast where radiant energy is absorbed by the chlorophyll molecules in the thylakoids + Radiant energy is then converted into chemical energy ‘+ The chemical energy is used for Photolysis and formation of the energy carrier ATP + Photolysis is when water molecules are split up into energy-tich hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms + The energy rich H-atoms and the ATP are used in the dark phase DARK PHASE independent) > This phase takes place in light or darkness, (C02 trom the | srospher (eae 7 eaaean are) | | lores tren) {tombe ighthese || representation of the dark phase of photosynth Takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast Carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere combines with the energy-rich H-atoms from the light phase using the energy that is released from ATP (formed in the light phase) Energy-tich carbohydrates (glucose) are formed Excess glucose is converted to starch for storage 2[Page COMPILED BY MR ‘S.J SILAULECOMPILED BY MR S.J SLAULE : IMPORTANCE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS + Keeps the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere and water constant ‘+ Keeps the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and water constant '* Provides food for heterotrophic organisms ‘* Makes chemical energy available for cell functioning FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS 1, Light intensity “An increase in the light intensity results in an increase in the rate of photosynthesis, -If light intensity becomes too high, the stomata close and carbon dioxide then becomes a limiting factor Rate of photosynthesis Light intensity 2. Temperature Plants photosynthesise optimally at 25°C Temperatures that are too high or too low inhibit the rate of photosynthesis -At low temperatures enzymes become inactive and at high temperatures enzymes denature -At high environmental temperatures, the stomata close to limit water loss and then carbon dioxide becomes a limiting factor once again Carbon dioxide concentration -A decrease in carbon dioxide concentration leads to a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis -An increase in carbon dioxide concentration leads to an increase in the rate of photosynthesis COMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULECOMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULE ‘TEMPERATURE AND CO2 ENRICHMENT IN A GREENHOUSE TO IMPROVE CROP YIELDS OPTIMUMLIGHT OPTIMUM TEMPERATURE | CO2 ENRICHMENT Optimum light intensity ‘| Temperature ina greenhouse | Increase in CO: accelerates photosynthesis and_| must be regulated according to | of photosynthesis and plant stimulates growth. the plant types in the growth greenhouse ‘The greenhouse must allow | Iftoo high ventilation can be a _| Typically a greenhouse does maximum amount of light to | solution and if too tow heating | not allow entry of CO2 reach the plants. devices can be used The transparency of the CO2 enrichment can occur greenhouse can be altered to when CO2 gas is pumped from control light intensity. tanks into the greenhouse Sodium bicarbonate and organic materials can be added to the soil to increase CO2 ‘The role of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP] (aac) QB + Q vow — (eeie} _O-O-O ATP © ATPis the energy carrier in living cells, © Cells require energy for a variety of chemical reactions When energy is needed by the cell , ATP is broken down into ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and 2 phosphate and energy is released “Leaves that allow more light and more carbon dioxide to enter which increases the rate of photosynthesis. -Large and many stomata -Large intercellular spaces “Many mesophyll cells with a large number of chloroplast “Thin cuticle “Absence or reduced amount of epidermal hairs a|Page ‘COMPILED BY MR'S.J SLAULECOMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULE PRACTICAL INVESTIGATIONS During the process of photosynthesis glucose is produced The glucose is stored in the plant as starch To determine whether photosynthesis has occurred the leaf must therefore be tested for presence of starch. vyv investigation: Test whether starch is produced during photosynthesis. Method > Conduct the investigation ona green oa hat ascono! hhas been exposed to sunlight fora few hours. At. > Place the lea in a beaker of boting water for 1010.30 seconds. This wil soften the leaf and kill the cells as it stops metabolism. It also makes the cells permeable to alcohol and Todine solution. { | | | | | | Place the leaf in a test tube with ethanol (alcohol). » Let the test tube stand in a beaker of boiling water (water bath) for about 10 minutes, » Extinguish the Bunsen bumer for safety reasons. Alcohol is highly flammable and should not be heated over an open flame. » Chlorophyll is soluble in alcohol and will be extracted from the leaf. ‘The leaf will turn white and become brite. > Remove the britte leaf (It will crumble easily) from the alcohol and rinse itin water to soften it » Spread the leaf on a porcelain tile and pour drops of diluted iodine ‘solution onto it. Results ‘The colour changes from light brown to blue-black. Deduction Starch is present, because iodine solution becomes blue-black in the presence of starch. | Conclusion Photosynthesis occurred and starch was produced. S| Page COMPILED BY MR S.J SILAULE