PHOTOSYNTHESIS
LOCATION/FUNCTION
Chloroplast Location Present in the cytoplasm of plant cell
Function Serve as the site of photosynthesis
Chlorophyll Location Present in the walls of the thylakoids of chloroplast.
Function It traps the sunlight for photosynthesis
Mesophyll cells Location Present below the upper epidermis of leaf.
Function Main centre for photosynthesis.
Thylakoids Location In the grana of chloroplast in the plant cell.
Function Site of light phase of photosynthesis
Stroma Location Ground substance of chloroplast.
Function Site of the Dark phase of photosynthesis
Grana Location Present in the chloroplast.
Function Site of light phase of photosynthesis
Guard cells Location Cells enclosing stomatal pore
Function Regulates opening and closing of stomatal pores.
Stoma Location Aperture present between guard cells of stomata.
Function Responsible for exchange or diffusion of respiratory gases
DEFINE TERMS
Photosynthesis is the process of making glucose and oxygen in the presence of sunlight and
chlorophyll using carbon dioxide and water by living plant.
Destarching Removal of starch from leaves by keeping the plant in the dark for 24 – 48 hours.
Photophosphorylation is the conversion of ADP to ATP by addition of electron and inorganic phosphate in
the presence of sunlight in grana of chloroplast during photosynthesis.
Photolysis of water is splitting of water into H+ and OH- ions in presence of sunlight in grana of
chloroplast during photosynthesis.
Polymerization is the process of conversion of many simpler and smaller molecules into a complex
bigger molecule. e.g. conversion of several glucose molecules into starch molecule.
PHASES OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Light phase Dark phase
1. light dependent phase 1. light independent phase
2. Photochemical phase 2. Biosynthetic phase
3. Light is must 3. Light is not required
4. Occurs in THYLAKOID, GRANA of chloroplast 4. Occurs in STROMA of chloroplast
5. End products are ATP, NADPH, OXYGEN 5. End products are GLUCOSE/ STARCH
6. HILL’S Reaction 6. CALVIN BENSON cycle
STEPS OF LIGHT PHASE 1. Activation of chlorophyll 2. Photolysis of water
3. Photophosphorylation (ADP + Pi + e-→ ATP)
STEPS OF DARK PHASE 1. Fixation of carbon dioxide (ATP+NADPH+CO2 → GLUCOSE) 2. Polymerization
FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
a) External Factors Carbon dioxide, Temperature, Water, Sunlight
b) Internal Factors Chlorophyll, Protoplasm, Structure of leaf (Cuticle, surface area, stomata)
ADAPTATIONS TO INCREASE THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
1. Large surface area 2. Numerous stomata 3. Leaf arrangement
4. Thin cuticle 5. Extensive vein system (for rapid transport of food formed by leaves)
GIVE REASONS
1. A tiger owes its existence to chlorophyll / All life will come to an end if there were no green plants
because green plants produce food by the process of photosynthesis using chlorophyll and give out oxygen
for all organisms
2. Photosynthesis is considered as a process supporting all life on earth.
because it produces food and releases oxygen, both of which are necessary to maintain life on the earth
3. Chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis
because it traps solar energy and converts it into chemical energy which helps in formation of food
(glucose) through the process of photosynthesis.
4. Respiration is said to be reversal of photosynthesis
because respiration is a catabolic process while photosynthesis is an anabolic process. During respiration
carbon dioxide is given out while in photosynthesis oxygen is given out.
5. Transpiration is the price that the plants pay for photosynthesis
because when stomata open for exchange of gases for photosynthesis at the same time excess of water is
lost in the form of water vapour by transpiration.
6. Mesophyll cells are main/ principal centre of photosynthesis
Palisade and spongy mesophyll cells have large number of chloroplasts which maximizes the leaf’s ability
to capture light energy for photosynthesis.
7. Plants with thin and broad green leaves perform more photosynthesis
because thin leaves help in better trapping of sunlight and large surface area of leaves helps in absorption
of maximum light and carbon dioxide for photosynthesis
8. Addition of sodium bicarbonate (NAHCO3) increases rate of photosynthesis
because it increases supply of carbon dioxide which leads to increase in rate of photosynthesis.
SUGAR CONCENTRATION THEORY
Day time → chloroplast in guard cells → do photosynthesis → glucose is produced → osmotic pressure increases
→ endosmosis → guard cells become turgid → stoma opens
K+ ION CONCENTRATION THEORY
Day time → chloroplast in guard cells → do photosynthesis → ATP is produced → pumps K+ in guard cells → guard
cells become hypertonic → endosmosis → guard cells become turgid → stoma opens
VARIGATED LEAVES Leaves which have both green and non green patches on it. e.g. Geranium, Croton, Coleus
EXPERIMENT 1 EXPERIMENT 2 EXPERIMENT 3 EXPERIMENT 4
FACTOR Chlorophyll Sunlight Carbon Dioxide AIM
STUDIED Oxygen is released during
AIM Chlorophyll is necessary for Sunlight is necessary for Carbon Dioxide is necessary photosynthesis
photosynthesis photosynthesis for photosynthesis OBSERVATION
STEP TAKEN Destarching the leaves of the plant. Air bubbles are seen in test tube
BEFORE EXP Gas released
Why To remove the previously formed starch. Oxygen
TEST STARCH TEST Confirmation
SOLUTION IODINE Solution Burning splinter glows brightly
USED 1. On adding Iodine solution in A colour changes from BROWN TO BLUE BLACK when brought closer to the air
OBSERVATIO 2. On adding Iodine solution in B colour remains BROWN bubble.
N Aquatic plant
Elodea, Hydrilla
What if NaHCO3 is added in
water
More air bubbles are seen and
increased rate of
photosynthesis.
