Plant Nutrition: Objective a.

Understand that photosynthesis is the fundamental process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw materials.

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Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make food. It is a chemical reaction which broken down in two parts: light dependent and light independent stages. Light energy from the sun is used to drive the reaction. Simple inorganic molecules eg. CO2 and H2O are converted into more complex organic molecules eg glucose and O2. The oxygen produced is a requirement for aerobic respiration The first product of the reaction is a carbohydrate known as glucose which is converted to other carbohydrates, lipids and proteins needed for respiration. Chlorophyll is pigment which traps light energy and converts it to chemical energy. Plants make their own food hence they are autotrophs. Since they use light to provide energy for this process they are photoautotrophs. There are two stages in photosynthesis

Light absorbed by chlorophyll

2H2O

Light dependent reactions

4H

Light independent reactions CH2O (carb) + H2O

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The oxygen produced by photosynthesis originates from water molecules. This is supported by evidence obtained from 18O labeling. So the initial splitting of H2O molecules during the light dependent stage to give H which then reduces CO2 in the light independent stage gives rise to H2O, O2 and carbohydrate.

Objective b. investigate the necessity for chlorophyll, light and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, using appropriate controls.

The leaf is an ideal organ for photosynthesis it would need to include these features. o A large flat surface with the chlorophyll located close to the top surface next to the incident for maximum light absorption. o A thin structure since light would be absorbed in the first millimeter or so of tissue. o Adaptations allowing gaseous exchange through the surface and a network of air spaces inside for gases eg. CO2 to reach the photosynthetic tissues. o Vessels to transport water to the cells and others to transport products of photosynthesis away to the non-photosynthetic tissues.

c. State the equation (in words and symbols) for photosynthesis. Carbon dioxide + 6CO2 + water 6H2O light light glucose C6H12O6 + oxygen + O2

d. Investigate and state the effect of varying light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis.

Light Intensity- the amount of light in the environment varies greatly between night and day. Light is a limiting factor from dusk until dawn. Hence photosynthesis occurs only during the day when light intensity is high. Carbon dioxide- the concentration of carbon dioxide is relatively low in the atmosphere. So carbon dioxide is a limiting factor when temperature and light levels are high. Hence the greater the concentration of CO2 the greater the rate of photosynthesis. Temperature- The rate of photosynthesis increases with an increase in temperature. An increase in temperature will cause molecules to move faster and come together in the leaf. Photosynthesis also involves enzyme catalysed reaction so an optimum temperature is required in order for these enzymes to work at their best. This also affects the rate of reaction.