GREENHOUSES
A greenhouse is a structure with a transparent roof and walls, and is used to
grow plants.
GREENHOUSES
Greenhouses can be used to maintain the optimal levels of the factors
affecting the rate of photosynthesis. This is done in the following ways:
• Light passes through the transparent structure. Artificial lights can be
used to allow the plants to photosynthesise for longer periods of time.
• Carbon dioxide is present in the atmosphere, but more can be pumped
into the greenhouse or be produced by burning gas lamps.
• The temperature can be kept at the optimum level by using heating and
cooling devices.
HOW GREENHOUSES WORK
Light Comes In
In order to provide light, greenhouses need to have some way for the light to
come in.
This is why greenhouses are made of mostly translucent materials, like glass
or clear plastic.
This gives the plants inside maximum access to sunlight.
HOW GREENHOUSES WORK
Heat Is Absorbed
When the light comes in through the glass walls of the
greenhouse, it is absorbed by the plants, ground and
anything else in the greenhouse, converting it to
infrared energy (heat) in the process.
HOW GREENHOUSES WORK
Heat Gets Trapped
Once the light energy gets converted into infrared energy
(heat), it has a different wavelength than light energy.
The change in the wavelength makes it so that the heat
can't easily escape out of the greenhouse's glass walls.
The air inside becomes warmer raising the temperature
inside.
HOW GREENHOUSES WORK
Promoting Photosynthesis
All this light and warm temperatures give plants ample access to the sunlight
and temperatures they need for growth.
ACTIVITY 1
A tomato farmer was able to produce crops in a greenhouse which were heated to between
15oC and 22oC. in addition, the carbon dioxide level was increased from the normal 0,03% to
0,1%.
1. State ONE way in which the farmer could have enriched the air inside the greenhouse with
CO2, without burning any fuel.
− Pump CO2 from tanks into the greenhouse
− Add sodium bicarbonate to the soil
− Add organic material that can decompose to the soil
2. Explain how increasing the CO 2 levels up to 0,1% can lead to an increased production of
tomatoes.
• Rate of photosynthesis increases
• More sugars (glucose) produced and converted into starch
• The glucose/starch is used as energy for growth
ACTIVITY 1
A tomato farmer was able to produce crops in a greenhouse which were heated to between
15oC and 22oC. in addition, the carbon dioxide level was increased from the normal 0,03% to
0,1%.
3. Name TWO other factors which might have to be increased to obtain an even greater yield
when the CO2 level is increased to above 0,1%.
• Temperature
• Light intensity
4. Predict what would happen if the CO2 concentration within the greenhouse is increased to
0,5% for between 10 to 15 days if all other factors are kept constant.
There will be an increase in the rate of photosynthesis for 10-15 days, after which the rate of
photosynthesis will decrease as other factors become limiting.
INVESTIGATIONS IN PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• There are investigations which can be performed to determine if a factor is required
for photosynthesis or to determine the rate at which photosynthesis is occurring.
• In the investigations, one plant (the experiment) is given all of the requirements
except for the factor being tested.
• Another plant is given all of the requirements in the same investigation and is
referred to as the control.
• In most of the investigations, a test for starch is performed at the end to prove that
photosynthesis took place.
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
• During photosynthesis glucose is produced
which is converted into starch.
• To determine whether photosynthesis
occurred, a test for starch can be performed.
• If starch is present, then it can be concluded
that photosynthesis occurred.
• If starch is not present, then it can be
concluded that photosynthesis did not occur.
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
De-starching a plant
Before starting the investigations, starch must be removed from the plant.
To do this:
• the plant is placed in a dark cupboard for 48 hours
• the plant uses the stored starch during the 48 hour period
• it can be proved that the starch present at the end of the investigation is
due to photosynthesis occurring.
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
Method:
1. Place a leaf in a beaker of boiling water. This softens the leaf and kills the
cells to stop metabolism.
2. Place the leaf into a test tube containing ethanol (alcohol).
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
3. Allow the test tube to stand in a beaker of boiling water (water bath) for
approximately 10 minutes.
Ethanol cannot be exposed to direct heat because it is highly
flammable and has a boiling temperature lower than water, this is why
it is placed into the water bath.
Chlorophyll is soluble in alcohol and will be extracted from the leaf.
The leaf will turn white in colour and become brittle.
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
4. Carefully remove the brittle leaf from the alcohol and rinse it in water to
soften it.
5. Spread the leaf on a tile and pour a few drops of iodine solution onto
it.
INVESTIGATION 1: THE STARCH TEST
Results:
• The leaf turns blue black which proves that starch has been produced
by photosynthesis.
INVESTIGATING: LIGHT IS NECCESARY FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Aim: To prove that light is required for photosynthesis.
Method:
• Destarch a potted plant by placing it in a dark cupboard
for 48 hours.
• Cover a portion of the leaf, still attached to the plant,
with aluminium foil.
• Place the plant in a sunny area for 48 hours.
• Pick the leaf and remove the foil.
• Test for the presence of starch using the starch test.
INVESTIGATING: LIGHT IS NECCESARY FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Results:
Experiment (leaf covered with tinfoil): the iodine solution remains light
brown.
Control (leaf left uncovered): the iodine solution turns blue-black.
INVESTIGATING: LIGHT IS NECCESARY FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Conclusion:
The parts that turn blue-black in colour contain
starch.
The part which remains light brown does not
contain starch.
Light is essential for photosynthesis to take
place.
ATP AS ENERGY CARRIER IN CELLS:
• ATP = adenosine triphosphate
• When a cell needs energy, ATP is broken down and the energy is
released.
• During photosynthesis the energy from ATP is used in the reaction that
make energy-rich glucose from the raw material CO2 and H2O.
• ATP loses a phosphate and forms ADP (adenosine diphosphate)
• Sunlight can change the less active ADP back to high energy ATP.
