The background is an microscope image of leaf

2.9 Photosynthesis cells. You can clearly see the cells are packed with
chloroplasts. These specialised organelles contain
chlorophyll (and other pigments) which trap light
energy and use it to build glucose molecules.

Essential idea: Photosynthesis uses the energy in sunlight to

produce the chemical energy needed for life.

By Chris Paine
https://bioknowledgy.weebly.com/
https://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2013/siebold_alic/chloroplast1.jpg
Understandings, Applications and Skills
Statement Guidance
2.9.U1 Photosynthesis is the production of carbon  
compounds in cells using light energy.
2.9.U2 Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet  
the shortest wavelength and red the longest.
2.9.U3 Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most Students should know that visible light has
effectively and reflects green light more than other wavelengths between 400 and 700
colours. nanometres, but they are not expected to
recall the wavelengths of specific colours of
light.
2.9.U4 Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the  
photolysis of water.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and  
other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.
2.9.U6 Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide  
concentration are possible limiting factors on the
rate of photosynthesis.
2.9.A1 Changes to the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and  
rock deposition due to photosynthesis.
2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll  
and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of Water free of dissolved carbon dioxide for
limiting factors on photosynthesis. photosynthesis experiments can be produced
by boiling and cooling water.
2.9.S3 Separation of photosynthetic pigments by Paper chromatography can be used to
chromatograph. (Practical 4) separate photosynthetic pigments but thin
layer chromatography gives better results.
2.9.U1 Photosynthesis is the production of carbon compounds in cells using light energy.

Photosynthesis is a metabolic pathway. Carbon dioxide and along with water is used to
produce carbohydrates. Oxygen is released as a waste gas.

Light energy is transferred to chemical

energy stored in the glucose molecule

Water is split: the hydrogen is used to help

in the production of glucose, but the
oxygen is excreted as a waste gas.

Carbon is ‘fixed’ from carbon dioxide and

used to produce to glucose.
n.b. metabolic pathways are controlled by enzymes
http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.U4 Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the photolysis of water.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.

One use of the energy consumed in photosynthesis

is photolysis (splitting of water molecules)

sunlight

Most of the oxygen is excreted

as a waste product

Glucose can be used by cell

respiration or stored as starch.

n.b. larger molecules tend to

contains more bonds than
electrons smaller ones. Therefore more
ATP is required to build the
bonds and generate larger
molecules. Consequently large
molecules can act as energy
stores.
http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.U4 Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the photolysis of water.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.

One use of the energy consumed in photosynthesis

is photolysis (splitting of water molecules)

sunlight

e rg y ir
from theMost
than a b s or b en of the oxygen is excreted
d p roc e sse s m ic
Reactions an rib e d a s be in g endother as a waste product
re desc
surroundings a
Glucose can be used by cell
respiration or stored as starch.

n.b. larger molecules tend to

contains more bonds than
electrons smaller ones. Therefore more
ATP is required to build the
bonds and generate larger
molecules. Consequently large
molecules can act as energy
stores.
http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.U4 Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the photolysis of water.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.

The LIGHT DEPENDENT Reactions

In the first stage, light energy is used to split
(lyse) water into oxygen and hydrogen and
make some ATP

The LIGHT INDEPENDENT Reactions

(aka the Calvin Cycle)
In the second stage, energy from ATP and
Hydrogen is used to transform Carbon
dioxide into Carbohydrates. This process is
known as Carbon Fixation. Rubisco is the key
enzyme in this process.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.

Light Independent
reactions occur in
the Stroma

Light Dependent
reactions occur in
the Thylakoids
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.
2.9.U5 Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.
2.9.U2 Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet the shortest wavelength and red the longest.
2.9.U3 Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other
colours.
2.9.U3 Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other
colours.
2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.

This shows the rate of photosynthesis for all the

wavelengths of light as a % of the maximum possible rate.
% of the maximum rate of photosynthesis

(Edited by Chris Paine)

2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.

https://app.box.com/s/88edjbrgbff0febtiyfk8x9l0cdnyshr

https://app.box.com/s/88edjbrgbff0fe
btiyfk8x9l0cdnyshr
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/biolink/j_explorations/ch09expl.htm

(Edited by Chris Paine)

2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.

This shows the absorbance of light by photosynthetic

pigments (here chlorophyll) for all the wavelengths of
light.
% of the maximum rate of photosynthesis

(Edited by Chris Paine)

2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.

http://homepages.abdn.ac.uk/p.marston/pages/flash/sa
mples/photosyn.swf
2.9.S1 Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.
2.9.S3 Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph. (Practical 4)

What pigments can you find and identify in a leaf?

Gather leaves of different types and colours and use Thin Layer
Chromatography (TLC) to separate the pigments, including
chlorophyll present in a leaf.

Thin layer chromatography for photosynthetic pigments

SAPS have published two (slightly) different protocols:

• http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources/189-investigation-of-ph
otosynthetic-pigments-in-green-plants
• http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources/181-student-sheet-10-t
hin-layer-chromatography-for-photosynthetic-pigments

Simplified Bioknowledgy protocol based on the SaPS outline:

https://app.box.com/s/i8cc161713atmk7ks5zoex1psyrjir89

In the absence of equipment use the virtual lab and self-test quiz:
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/lab4/pigsep.html

Chromatography is a method of separating out different pigment molecules

based on their solubility. It can be used to separate and distinguish
chlorophyll and other accessory pigments, such as carotene and
xanthophyll.
2.9.U6 Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on
the rate of photosynthesis.

At high levels of light intensity further increases have no effect on the rate of
photosynthesis. Therefore light intensity is not the limiting factor, another
factor (e.g. temperature, CO2 concentration, enzymes or chloroplasts working
at maximum efficiency) is limiting photosynthesis.
Rate of Photosynthesis

When light intensity is increased the rate of

photosynthesis increases therefore it is the
limiting factor at low levels.

Light intensity Light intensity refers to the amount of light, of a given

wavelength, which is available to the plant.

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.U6 Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on
the rate of photosynthesis.

Another factor (e.g. temperature, light, enzymes working at

maximum efficiency) is limiting photosynthesis as further
increases in carbon dioxide do not increase the rate of
photosynthesis.
Rate of Photosynthesis

CO2 is a substrate for the

metabolic pathway hence
the relationship is similar to
how enzyme reactions are
limited by substrate
concentration.

When carbon dioxide concentration is increased

the rate of photosynthesis increases therefore it is
the limiting factor at low concentrations.

Carbon dioxide concentration

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.U6 Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on
the rate of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis is a
metabolic pathway hence After the optimum
the relationship is similar to temperature enzymes
how enzyme reactions are denature rapidly
Rate of Photosynthesis

affected by temperature. causing a fast

decrease in the rate of
As the temperature photosynthesis as
approaches the optimum temperature increases
the enzymes begin to further.
denature (active site
Increases in temperature give
changes to become non-
molecules more kinetic energy
functional) causing the
causing substrates to collide with
rate of photosynthesis to
active sites more frequently, this
increase more slowly
increases the rate of
and eventually peak.
photosynthesis

Temperature

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Placing the plant in a closed space with

water.
CO2 reacts with the water producing
bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, which
increases the acidity of the solution.
Increased CO2 uptake -> increased pH
-> increased rate of photosynthesis.

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Aquatic plants can submerged

in water in a closed space with
a gas syringe attached.
Alternatively gas volume can
be measured by displacing
water in an inverted
measuring cylinder or by
simply counting bubbles.
Oxygen probes can be used
with terrestrial plants kept in
closed environments to
measure increases in oxygen
concentration.

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Glucose production can be

(indirectly) measured by a
change in a plant's dry
biomass.
starch levels in a plant (glucose
is stored as starch)
can be identified by staining
with iodine solution, this can
be quantitated using a
colorimeter.

http://i-biology.net/ahl/08-cell-respiration-photosynthesis/8-2-photosynthesis/
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Before designing an carrying out your own

investigation what questions need to be asked
and considerations need to be made?

http://sbi4u-photosynthesis.weebly.com/uploads/1
/9/2/8/19284461/5941741_orig.jpg

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-YeCeSQS3w/maxresdefault.jpg
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Before designing an carrying out your own

investigation what questions need to be asked
and considerations need to be made?

The independent variable

• Only one limiting factor should be investigated at a time
http://sbi4u-photosynthesis.weebly.com/uploads/1
• The range of values should reflect conditions experienced
/9/2/8/19284461/5941741_orig.jpg

by the organism
• The range of values should allow the limiting factor to
range from values that restrict photosynthesis to values
that allow photosynthesis to happen at it’s optimum rate.
• The increments should be sufficiently in size that a trend
can be clearly detected

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-YeCeSQS3w/maxresdefault.jpg
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Before designing an carrying out your own

investigation what questions need to be asked
and considerations need to be made?

Dependent variable
• An accurate method for measuring the rate of
http://sbi4u-photosynthesis.weebly.com/uploads/1
photosynthesis needs to be used. /9/2/8/19284461/5941741_orig.jpg
• Oxygen production per time unit is recommended.

Leaf discs are a successful and easy way to measure

oxygen generation by leaves
http://www.saps.org.uk/secondary/teaching-resources/284-in
vestigating-photosynthesis-with-leaf-discs

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-YeCeSQS3w/maxresdefault.jpg
2.9.S2 Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.

Before designing an carrying out your own

investigation what questions need to be asked
and considerations need to be made?

The control variables

• These should include the limiting factors http://sbi4u-photosynthesis.weebly.com/uploads/1
not being
investigated. /9/2/8/19284461/5941741_orig.jpg

• Other key control variables should include any factor that

affects a metabolic pathway controlled by enzymes, e.g. pH.
• Ambient light should be considered as it affects the
wavelength and intensity of light absorbed by the organism.
• The values chosen for the control variables should be close to
their optimum values so that the control variables do not limit
photosynthesis.
(If the control variables limit photosynthesis it may not be possible to
see the impact of the limiting factor being investigated)

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-YeCeSQS3w/maxresdefault.jpg
Nature of Science: Experimental design - controlling relevant variables in photosynthesis experiments is essential. (3.1)

Before designing an carrying out your own

investigation what questions need to be asked
and considerations need to be made?

The control variables - Nature of Science

• Explain why it is essential to control http://sbi4u-photosynthesis.weebly.com/uploads/1
the limiting factors
/9/2/8/19284461/5941741_orig.jpg
not being investigated.
• Evaluate which of the identified reasons are the most
important.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n-YeCeSQS3w/maxresdefault.jpg
2.9.A1 Changes to the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and rock deposition due to photosynthesis.

Primordial Earth had a reducing atmosphere that

contained very low levels of oxygen gas (approx. 2%).

 Cyanobacteria (prokaryotes) containing chlorophyll first

performed photosynthesis about 2.5 billion years ago.

Photosynthesis creates oxygen gas as a by-product (by the photolysis of water).

Oxygen levels remained at 2% until about 750 million years ago (mya).
From 750 mya until the now there has been a significant rise to 20%.

Oxygen generation also allowed the formation of an ozone layer (O3).

Ozone shielded the Earth from damaging levels of UV radiation. This, in
turn, lead to the evolution of a wider range of organisms.

Iron compounds in the oceans were oxidized: Oxygen in the atmosphere

• The insoluble iron oxides precipitated onto the seabed. lead to the production of
• Time and further sedmentation has produced rocks with oxidised compounds (e.g.
layers rich in iron ore called the banded iron formations. CO2) in the oceans.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Blue_Marble_Eastern_Hemisphere.jpg
Bibliography / Acknowledgments

Jason de Nys