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Photosynthesis
* It is the process by which green plants make simple sugars from carbon dioxide &
water using light energy.
* This reaction is controlled by enzymes therefore affected by temperature
Raw materials:
- CO2 diffuses into the green leaves through the stomata
- Water is absorbed by root hair cells, and transported through xylem vessels to the
leaves.
In the presence of certain conditions for photosynthesis:
- sunlight falling dawn on the leaf provides the energy for photosynthesis
- Chlorophyll, green pigment in chloroplasts absorbs light energy & uses it to
combine Carbon dioxide and water to make glucose. Oxygen is a bi-product of this
reaction. i.e. (Light energy is converted into chemical energy)
Photosynthesis takes places in:
1-Organ : leaf 2-Cell: palisade 3-Organelle : chloroplast
*Fate of glucose*
1- Used in respiration to release energy
2- Condensed to form sucrose
3- Condensed to form starch to be stored.
4- Condensed to form cellulose to make cell wall.
5- Formation of fats & cuticle.
6- Formation of plant proteins needed for growth & repair.
*Fate of oxygen*
1-Some is used in respiration of plant cells. 2-Excess is excreted through stomata.
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* Importance of photosynthesis*
1- Plants use the food that they make in photosynthesis to make new cells and
tissues. Materials that is made of living cells and tissues is called Biomass.
2- Source of oxygen for all living organisms.
3- Source of food & energy for all living organisms,
4- Removal of carbon dioxide from the air.
* Cross section in a leaf to show its inner structure*
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*Adaptations of the leaves for photosynthesis:
1- large surface area for maximum absorption of light & carbon dioxide.
2-Thin to allow easy penetration of light & diffusion of gases .
3- No chloroplast in the epidermal (transparent) cells to allow passage of light.
4- Palisade cells are loaded with chloroplasts lie near upper surfaces.
5- Spongy cells are loosely packed to have air spaces to.allow exchange of gases.
6- Leaves have stomata for exchange of gases.
7- Vascular bundles near every cell to supply water& minerals &take food.
Gaseous exchange in plants
*Plants respire all the time absorbing O2 &releasing CO2.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 ----------------------- 6CO2 + 6H2O + E
*Plants Photosynthesizes only during light absorbing CO2 & releasing O2.
L-i-g-h-t-e--n-e-r-g-y---- C H O + 6O
6CO2 + 6H2O---------chlorophyll 6 12 6 2
*N.B. respiration uses the products of photosynthesis & photosynthesis uses the
products of photosynthesis, So the net gas exchange depends on the rate of
photosynthesis.
*The rate of photosynthesis depends on the light intensity.
*In bright light:
*Photosynthesis process is more than,, respiration process
So CO2 IN & O2 OUT.
*In dark:
*No photosynthesis, only respiration.
So O2 IN CO2 OUT.
*In dim light:
-Rate of photosynthesis = rate of respiration.
So NO GAS EXCHANGE, (compensation point)
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Opening & closure of stomata
Stomata opens In light this allows gas exchange & closes In the dark ,this decreases
water loss.
Starch in Leaves
Glucose is the product of photosynthesis.
Is stored as: Starch in colourless granules
Is stored in: Palisade and Mesophyll layers in the leaf
THE TEST FOR STARCH
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A Destarched Plant
A plant from which starch is removed is called a Destarched plant.
How can we do this?
By putting the plant in a dark place for 2-3 days
Q: If we test a leaf from a Destarched with iodine, will it turn blue black?
Q: What about testing another leaf from the same plant, but after exposing it to
sunlight for several hours?
*Carbon Dioxide and starch production
-Apparatus and material:
-Two well watered destarched potted plants.
-Two bell jars
-2 Petri dishes
-Soda lime (mix of sodium hydroxide & calcium hydroxide which absorbs CO2
-Concentrated Sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (releases CO2)
Procedure:
Place both plants in a sunny place for four hours. Test for starch
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Result: 1. Leaf from plant with soda lime does not turn blue black
2. Leaf from plant with sodium hydrogen carbonate, turns blue
black
Conclusion:
Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.
Q. What is the purpose of the bell jars in the experiment above?
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Q. Why is it important for a plant to be destarched before it is used in photosynthesis
investigations?
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* Light and Starch production
Aim: To show that light is necessary for photosynthesis.
Apparatus and Materials: well watered destarched potted plant, dark paper,
scissors / knife / scalpel, pins/clips
Method / procedure:
The set-up is as shown below:
- Fix the paper on one of the leaves as shown in the diagram below.
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- The experimental set up is exposed to sunlight for 2-6 hours.
- The paper is removed and the leaf is tested for starch.
Results:
Conclusion.
Starch is produced only in areas that received light, showing that light is necessary
for photosynthesis.
* Chlorophyll and starch production
Aim:
To show that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis.
Apparatus and Materials
Plant that has variegated leaves ethanol, beaker, boiling tube, water, heat source,
Iodine solution.
Method / procedure:
- Leave the plant with variegated leaves in light for 2-6 hours.
- Remove one leaf and make a labelled diagram to show the green and non-green
parts.
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- Test the leaf for Starch
Conclusion:
Starch is made only in areas of the leaf with chlorophyll, showing that chlorophyll is
necessary for photosynthesis.
* Photosynthesis and Oxygen
Aims: To show that oxygen is given off during photosynthesis.
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Method / procedure
Set up the experiment as shown above. Expose it to light for about 2 hours. (The
supports ensure circulation of air. Sodium hydrogen carbonate adds carbon
dioxide.)Test any gas collected in the test tube using a glowing splint.
Observations
A gas collects in the test tube.
The gas re-lights a glowing splint or makes it glow brighter.
Conclusion
Oxygen is given off during photosynthesis.
*Mineral Salts and Plants*
Plants contain a lot of mineral elements, where do they get them from?
From the mineral salts dissolved in the soil.
Examples of mineral in the soil:
Nitrogen: in the form of nitrate salts
Phosphorous: in the form of phosphate salts
Potassium: in the form of potassium nitrate
*How to investigate the importance of a mineral element for a plant?
By growing the plant in a mineral solution that contains all the mineral elements
except the one being investigated.
This was done for the above minerals and showed:
1- Nitrogen: is needed for the proper development of leaves. Its lack causes poor
growth and yellow leaves
2. Phosphorous: is needed for proper development of roots and is important for
respiration and photosynthesis. Its lack causes poor growth.
3. Potassium: is needed for the development of flowers and fruits. Its lack causes
yellow leaves and abnormal growth.
4. Magnesium: is needed for chlorophyll. Its lack causes yellow leaves (a condition
called chlorosis)
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Biology Dr. Rana Gamal
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