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Chapter 1

The document discusses photosynthesis, detailing how plants convert water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight into glucose and oxygen, and highlights the importance of chlorophyll and chloroplasts in this process. It also covers the structure of leaves, the role of minerals in plant growth, the carbon cycle, and the impact of climate change, including historical events and current effects such as extreme weather and rising sea levels. Additionally, it explains the difference between asteroids and meteoroids and the monitoring of potentially dangerous space objects.

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18 views2 pages

Chapter 1

The document discusses photosynthesis, detailing how plants convert water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight into glucose and oxygen, and highlights the importance of chlorophyll and chloroplasts in this process. It also covers the structure of leaves, the role of minerals in plant growth, the carbon cycle, and the impact of climate change, including historical events and current effects such as extreme weather and rising sea levels. Additionally, it explains the difference between asteroids and meteoroids and the monitoring of potentially dangerous space objects.

Uploaded by

voxuantruong2709
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Unit 1: Photosynthesis and Environmental Impact

1. Photosynthesis
Plants use water (from soil), carbon dioxide (from air), and energy (from sunlight) to
produce food through photosynthesis.

Equation:
Water + Carbon Dioxide → Glucose + Oxygen

Importance of Photosynthesis:
• Provides energy for the plant.
• Produces glucose, which plants use for growth and storage.
• Releases oxygen, which is essential for respiration.

Role of Chlorophyll and Chloroplasts:


• Chlorophyll captures energy from sunlight.
• Chloroplasts store chlorophyll and are the site of photosynthesis.
On warm, sunny days, plants produce more carbohydrates than they need. They store the
excess carbohydrates as starch inside chloroplasts. This stored starch helps plants survive
during nights and periods with less sunlight.
Testing for Photosynthesis:
One way to check if a leaf has undergone photosynthesis is by testing it for starch.

2. Structure of a Leaf:
The different layers of a leaf help it function efficiently in photosynthesis:
• Waxy Layer: The outermost surface that prevents water loss.
• Upper Epidermis: Protects the inner cells of the leaf.
• Palisade Layer: Contains cells that carry out most of the photosynthesis.
• Spongy Layer: Has many air spaces and does a small amount of photosynthesis.
• Lower Epidermis: Protects the inner cells of the leaf.

3. Minerals and Plant Growth


Plants require minerals from the soil to grow properly. Two key minerals are:
• Magnesium: Helps form chlorophyll, which is needed for photosynthesis.
• Nitrate: Helps convert carbohydrates into proteins for plant growth.
Farmers use GPS technology to analyze the soil composition in their fields and ensure plants
receive the right minerals.
4. The Carbon Cycle
Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats all contain carbon. The carbon cycle explains how carbon
moves through the environment.

Respiration Equation:
Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water
When plants and animals respire, they release carbon dioxide back into the air, continuing
the cycle.

5. Climate Change
Throughout Earth’s history, climate change has occurred due to natural and human-related
factors.
- Ice Ages and Snowball Earth
At certain times in Earth’s history, global temperatures dropped significantly, covering much
of the planet in ice and snow.
- Asteroid Collisions and Mass Extinction
Large asteroids have hit Earth in the past, causing catastrophic changes:
• The impact generated extremely high temperatures and a massive tsunami.
• The dust and debris blocked sunlight, reducing photosynthesis.
• Plants died, leading to a food shortage for animals.
• This disrupted the food chain and caused mass extinctions.

Difference Between Asteroids and Meteoroids:


• Asteroids are large rocky objects in space.
• Meteoroids are smaller objects that can also enter Earth’s atmosphere.
Tracking Dangerous Space Objects
In 1998, scientists began observing objects in space that could potentially impact Earth.
They assessed:
1. The mass or diameter of the asteroid.
2. The closest possible approach to Earth.

Current Impact of Climate Change


Human activities, such as burning fossil fuels, are causing global warming and more extreme
weather patterns. Some key effects include:
• More extreme weather (hurricanes, heatwaves, and storms).
• Less predictable rainfall, affecting agriculture and water supply.
• Rising sea levels, leading to coastal flooding.

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