Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

Define photosynthesis 

The process by which green plants convert light energy from the sun into usable chemical energy stored in organic matter. It requires carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll, and light.

State the word and balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis

CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2
Carbon Dioxide and Water produces sugar and oxygen through solar energy and chlorophyll 

Discuss the limiting factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis (CO2 concentration, light intensity, and temperature) + Sketch graphs to show the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide concentration

  • If carbon dioxide concentration increases, then the rate of photosynthesis will increase too and vise versa.
  • At some point, this factor becomes limiting.

Light intensity

  • If light intensity increases, then the rate of photosynthesis will increase too and vice-versa.
  • This is until some other factor, a limiting factor becomes short in supply. 

Temperature 

  • At too low temperatures, the rate of photosynthesis will decrease due to the low number of molecular collisions between enzymes and substrates.
  • At too high temperatures, the enzymes denature, and rates of photosynthesis decrease.

Draw and label the structure of a leaf

Draw and label the structure of a leaf

Define Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is a pigment found in the chloroplast organelle of a cell. Chlorophyll is required for photosynthesis because it absorbs light to convert into chemical energy.

Draw and Label the structure of Chloroplast