Topic 6 Plant Nutrition

.
 Unit 6.1 Photosynthesis
.

Define photosynthesis :

the which plants carbohydrates from

process by
manufacture raw materials using
from light
energy .

State the word equation for photosynthesis :

sunlight
carbon dioxide + water
chlorophyll
>
glucose + oxygen

state the balanced chemical equation for

photosynthesis :

sunlight
GC02 + GH20 > (64206 + 602
chlorophyll

Explain that
chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical energy in
molecules for the synthesis of carbohydrates
,

Outline the subsequent use and storage of carbohydrate made in

•

photosynthesis
Chloroplasts containing chlorophyll
-

responsible for trapping light energy

are

This
energy
is converted to chemical
energy
for the formation of
carbohydrates (glucose)
Glucose is usually changed to sucrose for transport around the
-

plant or to starch for storage

,
 Oxygen is released waste product used by the plant for
-

as a or
,

respiration

Investigate the necessity for chlorophyll

, light and carbon dioxide for
photosynthesis using appropriate
,
controls
-

Experiments can be used to find out what factors are needed for

photosynthesis
-

First the plant is destarched This involves

.
leaving the plant in the dark
for 48 hours .
The plant uses
up all the stores of starch in its leaves
( in respiration )
-

One plant ( or leaf) is exposed to all the conditions needed -

this is the
control
kit I
-

Another plant ( or leaf) is deprived of one condition ( this may be light or

carbon dioxide )
-

After a few hours the starch test is carried out on the control and the test

plant Heat
Testing a leaf for starch
The starch test does not work by placing iodine solution on fresh leaves it is
,

not absorbed .

Stage Reason Safety Points

É¥
Boil the leaf in water to break the cell membranes , Danger of scalding
this makes it permeable
Boil the /eafinethanoltodecolon.se the leaf chlorophyll Notated flames
- -

dissolves in ethanol ethanol is highly flammable

Rinse the leaf in Boiling the leaf in ethanol makes

17¥33
water it brittle water softens it
-

Leftthekafouton Sothat the results are

easy
white tile to see

Add iodine solution -10 To test for the presence of Avoid skin contact

the leaf starch with iodine solution

Experiments I -

To see if chlorophyll is needed for photosynthesis

step involved :
¥ 'É
a. leave a
plant with variegated leaves (green and white ) in a warm
, sunny spot.

for a few days

b. Test the leaves for starch (the control is the part of the variegated
green
leaf : the experimental leaf is the white part of the variegated leaf)
Result
green part will give positive test for starch due to the presence of
:
a

chlorophyll
Experimental 2- To see if carbon dioxide is needed for photosynthesis

Pestarch a plant .

Set up the experiment as shown in the

figure
-

Test the leaf for starch

-

Control is the flask with leaf and distilled

water
Experimental leaf shows the absence of starch
-

as it is deprived of carbon dioxide due to the

presence of potassium hydroxide or limewater

Experiment 3- To see if light is needed for photosynthesis

Destarch a plant
-

set up the experiment as shown in the

figure
Test leaves for starch
-

Control is the uncovered part of the

leaf which gives a positive test for starch

Experimental leaf is the covered part of the leaf

-

shows absence of starch in the absence of light

Investigate and describe the effects of varying light intensity ,
carbon

dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis ,

e.
g.
in submerged aquatic plants
Experiment to show the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis

a. Set up the apparatus as shown in the

diagram .
Make sure that the test tube is

completely full of water .

b. Vary the light intensity by changing the

distance of light from the plant

c. Count the number of bubbles produced
Control Variables :
per minute or the volume ofgas 1oxygen
)

Type of plant ,
size of plant
,
collected after 10 minutes for each different

amount of water in the trough , intensity of light

amount of time to collect the

volume of
gas
→
As light intensity increases so does the rate of
,

photosynthesis
→
the light intensity ( I) is related to the distance (d)

between the lamp and the plant ( E- IH7

As the lamp is moved closer, the light intensity

→

increases
→
the rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to
the light intensity .

→ However the photosynthetic rate cannot be increased

indefinitely ,
a
point is reached where all the chloroplasts
cannot trap anymore light
Experiment to show the effect of CO2 concentration on the rate of

photosynthesis
-

the concentration of co, and rate of photosynthesis are

directly proportional

•
Place a pond weed Elodea upside in a test tube containing
water at 25°C
•

place the tube in a beaker of fresh water

•
Place excess sodium bicarbonate ( NAHCO, ) in the water to give

a constant saturated solution of CO2

•
Place a
lamp ( the only light source ) at a fixed distance from
the plant
•
maintain constant room temperature about 20°C .

Count the number of oxygen bubbles given off the plant in

by
•
a one

minute period .
This is the rate of photosynthesis at the that
particular concentration of CO2 .

The that it is indeed

gas should be checked to prove
•

oxygen lights a glowing splint

-

re
•

Repeat at different lower CO2 concentrations by using different

dilutions of a saturated solution .

•
The rate of photosynthesis increases linearly with

increasing CO2 concentration ( from point A to B)

•
The rate falls gradually ,
and at a certain CO2

concentration it stays constant ( from point B to c) Here .

a rise in CO2 levels has no effect as the other factors

such as light intensity become limiting

Experiment to show the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis

temperature and rate of photosynthesis are

directly
proportional
-

there is an optimum temperature at which the rate of

photosynthesis is maximum
-

Beyond this
:*
temperature the reaction quickly comes
,
to

a hat

•
Place a pond weed Elodea upside in a test tube containing
water at 25°C
•

place the tube in a beaker of fresh water

•
Place excess sodium bicarbonate ( NAHCO, ) in the water to give

a constant saturated solution of CO2

•
Place a
lamp ( the only light source ) at a fixed distance from
the plant
•
maintain constant room temperature about 20°C .

•
Count the number of oxygen bubbles given off by the plant in
a one -

minute period This is the rate of photosynthesis at that

.

particular temperature
 •
The gas should the checked to prove that it is indeed oxygen

lights glowing splint

a-
-

re

Repeat at different temperatures : 0°C -

surround the beaker with an

ice jacket ; greater than room temperature (25°C , 30°C 35°C, 40°C, 45°C
, ,

etc ) by.

using a hot plate

.

At low the enzyme does not have

temperature
•

enough energy to meet many substrate molecules ,

so the

reaction is slowed

•
When the temperature rises ,
the particles in the reaction move quicker and collide
more so the rate of photosynthesis rises also
,

•
At the optimum temperature the , enzyme
is most efficient and
the rate is maximum

•
At temperature above 40°C the rate slows down This.

is because the enzymes involved in the chemical reactions of

photosynthesis are temperature sensitive and destroyed

( denatured) at higher temperatures .
Define the term limiting factor :

something present in the environment in such short supply that it restricts life

processes

Identify and explain the limiting factors of photosynthesis in different environmental

conditions

Sunlight
-

As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis will increase

-

It is severely limiting at times of partial light conditions e.

g.
dawn or dusk .

•
Carbon dioxide
-
The more CO2 a
plant is given the faster it can
photosynthesise up to a
point
,

Temperature
-

The higher the temperature the faster the plant can

photosynthesise
Describe the use of carbon dioxide enrichment optimum
, light and optimum
temperatures in glasshouses in temperate and tropical countries
•
CO2 enrichment
-
C02 concentration can be controlled
-

CO2 is often a
limiting factorphotosynthesis because its natural concentration
,
in

the air is low 10.04%1

to provide fossil fuels pure CO2 from a gas

-

extra CO2 for the plants e.

g. burning or releasing
cylinder

Optimum light
-

light also can be controlled

-

extra artificial lighting can be provided

-

the kind of lights that are used can be chosen carefully so that they provide just
the right wavelengths that the plants need

Optimum temperature
-

temperature can be raised by using a heating system

-

If the fossil fuels are burned there is also a benefit from the CO2
produced
,
Use the hydrogencarbonate indicator solution to investigate the effect of

gas exchange of an aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark

•
In bright light from red
-

Hydrogencarbonate indicator turns ipurpk as rate of photosynthesis is faster than rate of

respiration causing
,
CO2 levels to decrease

the net gas exchange happening is carbon dioxide into and oxygen out of the leaf

In the dark
from red
7
Hydrogen carbonate indicator turns yellow photosynthesis has stopped, and respiration
-

as

continues to produce CO2

Oxygen into and CO2 out of the leaf

-
 Unit 6.2 Leaf structure
Identify chloroplast ,
cuticle , guard cells and stomata , upper
and lower epidermis palisade mesophyll , spongy mesophyll vascular
, ,

bundle xylem and phloem in leaves of a dicotyledonous plant

,
.

Explain how the internal structure of a leaf is adapted for

photosynthesis

Parts of a leaf Description Functions

Cuticle Made of wax
,
secreted helps in
waterproofing the leaf

by upper epidermis to prevent water loss

Upper epidermis Thin and transparent ,
Acts as protective layer and barrier
absence of chloroplasts to disease
organisms : allow sunlight to
penetrate
Palisade meSophy11 No gaps between cells, cells are Main region for absorption of light

long packed with chloroplasts for photosynthesis

,
Parts of a leaf Description Functions

Spongy mesophyll Spherical , loosely packed Airspace between cells allow gaseous
,

contain chloroplasts but not exchange -

carbon dioxide to the cells,

from the cells
as
many as
palisade oxygen during photosynthesis
Vasular bundle Thin vein made of xylem Xylem vessels bring water and minerals
and phloem to the leaf phloem vessels transport
,

sugars and amino acids

away
from the leaf

Lower epidermis stomata present Act as a protective layer

stomata Surrounded by guard Guard cells regulate whether
cells the stoma is open or closed to

allow carbon dioxide in and

regulate the loss of water

vapour during transpiration

Describe the importance of nitrate and
magnesium ions
-

nitrate ions is for making amino acids by protein synthesis

magnesium ions is for making chlorophyll
-

Explain the effects of nitration and magnesium ion deficiency on plant growth

Nitrogen Magnesium
Mineral salt Nitrate ammonium salts Magnesium ions

Why needed To make proteins To make chlorophyll

Deficiency Slow growth weak stem , yellow

,
leaves Yellowing of leaves