TOPIC 7

Plant
Nutrition
Lesson objective
∙ Describe the process of photosynthesis as plants make carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light

∙ State that chlorophyll is a green pigment that is found in chloroplasts

∙ State that chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical energy for the formation of glucose and other carbohydrates.

∙ Outline the subsequent use and storage of the carbohydrates:

• starch as an energy store

• cellulose to build cell walls
• glucose used in respiration to provide energy
• sucrose for transport through the plant

∙ State the word equation and balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis

∙ Describe and explain the effect of varying light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis
 Why is
photosynthesi
s important
for plants?
Step to success
 Describe the process of photosynthesis as plants make carbohydrates from raw materials using energy from light

 State that chlorophyll is a green pigment that is found in chloroplasts

 State that chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical energy for the formation of glucose and other carbohydrates.

 Outline the subsequent use and storage of the carbohydrates:

 starch as an energy store

 cellulose to build cell walls

 glucose used in respiration to provide energy

 sucrose for transport through the plant

State the word equation and balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis

 Describe and explain the effect of varying light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis
 Why is photosynthesis so important for us?

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Why is
photosynthesis
important for plants?
Definition of
photosynthesis

plants make
carbohydrates from
raw materials using
energy from light
Where does
photosynthesis
takes place in
the plant?
• What structure is
present in the leaf
that makes it suitable
for photosynthesis?

• What are the other

features of the leaf
that makes it good
for photosynthesis?
What are the main components for
photosynthesis?
Raw Materials

∙ Carbon dioxide
∙ Water
Conditions

∙ Light energy
∙ Chlorophyll
Products

∙ Glucose
∙ Oxygen
Photosynthesis

Raw materials Conditions Products

Main Waste /
product by-
product
 Question:
How do the leaf
gets carbon
dioxide and water?
carbon dioxide enters the plant through Water enters the plant through the root hair
stomata (leaf) by diffusion cells by osmosis and then travel up to the leaf
through xylem vessels by capillary action and
transpiration pull.
 Question:
How do the leaf
gets carbon
dioxide and water?
carbon dioxide enters the plant through Water enters the plant through the root hair
stomata (leaf) by diffusion cells by osmosis and then travel up to the leaf
through xylem vessels by capillary action and
transpiration pull.
 Question:
How do the leaf
gets carbon
dioxide and water?
carbon dioxide enters the plant through Water enters the plant through the root hair
cells by osmosis and then travel up to the leaf
stomata (leaf) by diffusion
through xylem vessels by capillary action and
(0.03 percent of carbon dioxide in the transpiration pull.
atmospheric air)
Leaf structure
Absorption of water
∙ Explanation of how carbon dioxide enters the plant through stomata
∙ Importance of carbon dioxide concentration in photosynthesis Check-in question:
How does carbon dioxide enter the plant?
Absorption of sunlight and chlorophyll
∙ Explanation of the role of chlorophyll in capturing sunlight
∙ Importance of light intensity and wavelength in photosynthesis Check-in question:
What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
Products: Glucose and oxygen
∙ Description of the chemical reactions involved in photosynthesis
∙ Production of glucose as a source of energy and oxygen as a byproduct Check-in
question: What are the end products of photosynthesis?
Factors influencing the rate of photosynthesis

∙ Explanation of key factors such as light intensity, temperature, and carbon dioxide
concentration
∙ Effects of these factors on the efficiency of photosynthesis Check-in question: Name
one factor that can affect the rate of photosynthesis.
Conclusion
∙ Conclusion
∙ Recap of the process of photosynthesis
∙ Emphasis on the importance of plant nutrition and photosynthesis for the ecosystem
Check-in question: Why is photosynthesis important for the ecosystem?
 Investigate the
need for
chlorophyll, light
and carbon
dioxide for
photosynthesis,
using appropriate
controls
 Bubbles of gas
(oxygen) released
from pondweed
(underwater)
Riddle #1
I am essential for
photosynthesis, found in plants
and algae too.
Without me, oxygen would be few.
What am I?
Riddle #2
I can be found in the air, yet
I’m needed by plants everywhere.
I’m a gas that helps in
photosynthesis, identify me if
you dare.
What am I?
Riddle #3
I am the substance that plants
breathe out during
photosynthesis.
What am I?
Question #1
What is photosynthesis?
Question #1
What is photosynthesis?
A chemical reaction that takes
place inside a plant, producing
glucose for the plant to survive
Question #2
Which three things does a plant
need to take in for
photosynthesis?
Question #2
Which three things does a plant
need to take in for
photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide, water and light
Question #3
Which part of the cell does
photosynthesis takes place in?
Question #3
Which part of the cell does
photosynthesis takes place in?
Chloroplast
Question #4
Photosynthesis is a vital
process that occurs mainly in
which part of the plant?
Question #4
Photosynthesis is a vital
process that occurs mainly in
which part of the plant?
Leaves
Question #5
Plants get carbon dioxide from
the air through their leaves and
light energy comes from the sun.
where does the water they need
usually come from?
Question #5
Plants get carbon dioxide from
the air through their leaves and
light energy comes from the sun.
where does the water they need
usually come from?
From the ground through their
roots
GROUP DISCUSSION

How can you measure the rate of

photosynthesis in the laboratory?
 What are the different methods of measuring the rate
of photosynthesis?

1. Measuring the uptake of CO2

2. Measuring the production of O2
3. Measuring the production of
carbohydrates
4. Measuring the increase in dry mass
GROUP DISCUSSION

What are the factors that can

affect the rate of photosynthesis?
 What are the different methods of measuring the rate
of photosynthesis?

1. Light intensity
2. Carbon dioxide concentration
3. Temperature
4. Chlorophyll?
 OBSERVING HOW DIFFERENT
ENVIRONMENT AFFECTS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND MAKING
INFERENCES
DESERT ENVIRONMENT
FOREST ENVIRONMENT
GREEN HOUSE
ENVIRONMENT
 AQUATIC
ENVIRONMENT
URBAN ENVIRONMENT
SO WHAT?

NEXT STEP:
MAKE YOUR HYPOTHESIS FROM
YOUR INFERENCES AND DO AN
EXPERIMENT TO PROVE (OR
DISPROVE) YOUR HYPOTHESIS
lamina
stomata
 exchange
air spaces
 water mineral ions

products

In the form of sucrose

Carbon dioxide
oxygen

oxygen carbon dioxide

water vapour
Onion cell
After 1 minute
in Hypertonic /
Concentrated
Solution
A few moments
later
in Hypertonic /
Concentrated
Solution
Minerals needed by plants

Nitrogen deficit

Magnesium deficit
Calcium deficit

Phosphorus deficit
Potassium deficit

Sulphur deficit