Photosynthesis: Equation and Factors

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Questions and Answers

State the two main events that occur during photosynthesis and where in the plant cell each takes place.

Light-dependent reactions in the thylakoid membranes, and light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) in the stroma of the chloroplasts.

Explain how the glucose produced during photosynthesis is utilized by the plant for different functions, including both immediate energy and structural components.

Glucose can be used directly in respiration for energy, converted into starch or fats for energy storage, built into cellulose to form cell walls, or combined with nitrates to form amino acids for protein synthesis.

Describe how temperature, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration can act as limiting factors in photosynthesis, and explain why each is essential for the process.

Temperature affects enzyme activity (denaturing enzymes at high temps), light intensity provides energy, and carbon dioxide is a reactant. A low supply of any will limit the rate of photosynthesis.

Outline the method used to measure the rate of photosynthesis using pondweed, including the equipment used and the principle behind measuring oxygen production.

<p>Submerge pondweed in water within an inverted measuring cylinder and measure the volume of oxygen produced over time.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain the inverse square law in the context of photosynthesis experiments, and how it affects light intensity when varying the distance between a light source and the plant.

<p>Light intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the light source. Doubling the distance quarters the light intensity.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of mitochondria in cellular respiration and explain why red blood cells are an exception to the rule that all cells have mitochondria.

<p>Mitochondria are the site of aerobic respiration, providing energy for the cell. Red blood cells lack mitochondria to maximize space for hemoglobin and oxygen transport.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration in terms of reactants, products, and the amount of energy released, and under what conditions each process occurs.

<p>Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to break down glucose into carbon dioxide and water, releasing a lot of energy. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, converting glucose into lactic acid (animals) or ethanol and carbon dioxide (plants/yeast), releasing less energy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain why breathing rate and heart rate increase during exercise, and how this relates to the increased demand for oxygen by muscle cells.

<p>Breathing rate and heart rate increase to deliver more oxygen to the muscles, which require more energy (produced by aerobic respiration) during exercise.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process of oxygen debt and how it relates to lactic acid buildup during anaerobic respiration, including how the body restores oxygen levels post-exercise.

<p>Lactic acid builds up during anaerobic respiration, creating an oxygen debt. After exercise, extra oxygen is needed to break down the lactic acid in the liver (converting it back into glucose), which explains the continued high breathing rate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Compare and contrast anaerobic respiration in animal cells versus plant or yeast cells, giving the specific products formed in each and describing how the plant/yeast process is used commercially.

<p>Animal cells produce lactic acid, while plant and yeast cells produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. The latter process (fermentation) is used to make bread (CO2 makes it rise) and alcoholic drinks (ethanol is produced).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define metabolism and provide at least three examples of metabolic processes that occur in cells, explaining the purpose of each.

<p>Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in a cell or organism; examples include: respiration (energy), conversion of glucose to starch (energy storage), and protein synthesis (building new cells).</p> Signup and view all the answers

Outline the fates of glucose molecules within plant cells, mentioning the various complex carbohydrates and other organic compounds they can be converted into.

<p>Glucose can be converted into starch, glycogen, and cellulose, used to produce cell walls. It can also be used with nitrates to synthesize amino acids for protein production.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how nitrates are utilized in plant metabolism and what type of organic molecules they contribute to.

<p>Nitrates are used with glucose to make amino acids, which are then used to synthesize proteins.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the process by which excess proteins are broken down in the body, and identify the primary waste product generated.

<p>Excess proteins are broken down, resulting in the production of urea, which is excreted as waste.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Outline the components required for photosynthesis, and explain how it can be considered an endothermic reaction.

<p>Photosynthesis needs carbon dioxide, water, light energy, and chlorophyll. It's endothermic because it requires energy (light) to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Explain how the structure of a leaf is adapted to maximize the rate of photosynthesis.

<p>Broad leaves have a large surface area for light absorption. Stomata allow for gas exchange. Chloroplasts are in palisade cells near the surface for maximum light exposure. Veins transport water and nutrients.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Describe the role of each product of photosynthesis.

<p>Glucose can be used directly in respiration for energy, converted into starch or fats for energy storage, built into cellulose to form cell walls, or combined with nitrates to form amino acids for protein synthesis. Oxygen is released as a byproduct.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Name two environmental factors that can be manipulated during measurements of photosynthesis, and the equipment used to manipulate these variables.

<p>Light intensity can be changed by varying the distance to the light source (using a lamp). CO2 concentration can be manipulated using a CO2 generator.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical formula for cellular respiration?

<p>$C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2 \rightarrow 6CO_2 + 6H_2O + \text{Energy}$</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the process in which simpler molecules are combined to create complex proteins?

<p>Protein synthesis</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Photosynthesis

Process where plants use chlorophyll and chloroplasts to create food.

Photosynthesis Equation

Light + Carbon Dioxide + Water -> Glucose + Oxygen

Photosynthesis Factors

Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration.

Limiting Factor

The factor that limits the rate of photosynthesis when in short supply.

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Measuring Photosynthesis

Submerging pondweed, measuring oxygen volume produced.

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Mitochondria

Organelle in cells where aerobic respiration takes place.

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Aerobic Respiration

Process using oxygen to produce energy from glucose.

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Anaerobic Respiration

Process that produces energy without oxygen, creating lactic acid.

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Lactic Acid Buildup

Causes muscle ache and creates an oxygen debt.

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Anaerobic Respiration in Yeast

Converts glucose into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

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Metabolism

The sum of all chemical reactions in a cell or organism.

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Glucose Conversion

Conversion of glucose into complex carbohydrates.

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Cellulose

Used to create cell walls in plants.

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Nitrates

Used along with glucose to produce amino acids.

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Excess Proteins

Broken down into urea.

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Fatty Acids and Glycerol

Built into lipids.

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Study Notes

  • Photosynthesis occurs in chlorophyll and chloroplasts within plant cells, providing nourishment for the plant.

Photosynthesis Equation

  • In the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis, energy is required in the form of light, classifying it as an endothermic reaction.
  • Glucose produced is either used for respiration or transformed into starch or fat to store energy.
  • Cellulose is essential for forming cell walls, while amino acids are used in the synthesis of proteins.

Factors affecting Photosynthesis

  • The rate of photosynthesis is accelerated by higher temperatures; however, excessively high temperatures can lead to denaturing.
  • The rate of photosynthesis also rises with increased light intensity or carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, but insufficient levels can act as limiting factors.
  • If one factor is deficient, it restricts the overall rate, irrespective of other factors' abundance.
  • The limiting factor is represented on a graph as the x-axis variable before the graph plateaus.
  • When two lines appear on a graph (e.g., representing different temperatures), temperature is the limiting factor.

Measuring Photosynthesis Practically

  • The rate of photosynthesis can be gauged by submerging pondweed in an inverted measuring cylinder and measuring the oxygen volume produced over time.
  • A less precise method involves counting oxygen bubbles.
  • Varying the distance from the light source (e.g., a lamp) can change the independent variable, light intensity.
  • Light intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance; doubling the distance reduces light intensity to one-quarter.

Respiration

  • All cells (excluding red blood cells) contain mitochondria, which are the sites of respiration, providing energy for organisms and various chemical reactions.
  • Energy is essential for movement and maintaining warmth.

Aerobic Respiration

  • Aerobic respiration requires oxygen.
  • It is the inverse process of photosynthesis.
  • Breathing and heart rate increase during exercise to supply more oxygen to cells for respiration.

Anaerobic Respiration

  • Anaerobic respiration takes place in the absence of oxygen.
  • Glucose is converted to lactic acid, which releases less energy.
  • The accumulation of lactic acid triggers muscle ache during strenuous exercise.
  • An oxygen debt is created because lactic acid must be processed post-exercise.
  • The continued high breathing rate after exercise is due to the extra oxygen needed to break down lactic acid in the liver and convert it back into glucose.

Anaerobic Respiration in Plants and Yeast

  • Plant and yeast cells undergo anaerobic respiration, but through different processes.
  • Glucose is converted into ethanol and carbon dioxide.
  • Yeast is used in baking, where the CO2 bubbles cause bread or cake to rise.
  • This process, known as fermentation, produces ethanol and is used in making alcoholic beverages.

Metabolism

  • Metabolism encompasses all reactions within a cell or organism.
  • This includes respiration and the conversion of glucose into starch, glycogen, and cellulose.
  • The process where glucose is built into cellulose, a component of cell walls.
  • Glucose and nitrates are utilized in the production of amino acids for protein synthesis.
  • Lipids are synthesized from fatty acids and glycerol.
  • The breakdown of excess proteins leads to the production of urea.

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