Topic # 6

Prepared by: Noor Hassan

 6.1 Photosynthesis
• Photosynthesis is a process in which green
plants can make organic food
(Carbohydrates) by themselves using
simple inorganic substances and light.
• The process by which the green plants
synthesis nutrients is called Photosynthesis

2
 Chlorophyll- Green pigments
• Light energy is trapped by chlorophyll in
chloroplast
• chlorophyll transfers light energy into chemical
energy for the formation of glucose and other
carbohydrates

3
 Use and storage of the carbohydrates made in
photosynthesis
(a) Starch as an energy store
• Glucose produce by photosynthesis, convert into sucrose
(Transporting sugar), Sucrose convert into starch for storage in
leaf (Chloroplast), fruits and roots
(b) Cellulose to build cell walls
• Cellulose is a complex carbohydrates that used to build the
structure of cells.
(c) Glucose used in respiration to provide energy
• Glucose break during cellular respiration and release energy to use
in performing vital function.
(d) Sucrose for transport through the plant
• Glucose after synthesis convert into sucrose as a transport sugar in
different part of plants by phloem tissue 4
 Use and storage of the carbohydrates made in
photosynthesis
•
(e) Plants get nitrogen from nitrate ions in soil
• Glucose and nitrate are used to form AMINO ACIDS/PROTEIN
• Protein is needed for growth and cell repair/making enzymes and
hormones
• Sugars are converted to OILS (efficient way to store energy in
seeds)

5
Equation of Photosynthesis

6
6.2 Leaf structure

7
8
 6.2.1 State that most leaves have a large surface area and
are thin, and explain how these features are adaptations
for photosynthesis
• Leaf has large surface area (Broad and
flattened) to
• Absorb maximum sunlight that convert into chemical
energy
• Having large number of stomata for exchange of gases
to do photosynthesis
• Thin surface
• Reduce the distance for rapid diffusion of gases and
absorption in mesophyll tissue
9
Internal Structure of Leaf
cuticle
upper epidermis

palisade mesophyll
chloroplasts

spongy mesophyll

intercellular space
(air space)
guard cell
lower epidermis
cuticle 10
stoma
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon
upper
epidermis

protect internal
tissues from
mechanical
damage and
bacterial &
fungal invasion

11
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

Cuticle
• a Non cellular
waxy layer
• prevent water
loss from the
leaf surface
• protect the leaf

12
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

mesophyll

13
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

palisade
mesophyll
(layer)

• contains many
chloroplasts
• columnar cells
closely packed
together
• absorb light
more efficiently
14
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon
• irregular cells loosely
packed together to
leave numerous large
air spaces
• →allow rapid
diffusion of gases
throughout the leaf
• some (fewer than
palisade mesophyll)
chloroplasts for
photosynthesis

spongy
mesophyll
(layer)
15
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

same as upper
epidermis
except the
cuticle is thinner

lower epidermis
16
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

opening which
allows gases to
pass through it to
go into or out of
the leaf

stoma
(stomata)
17
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

guard cells
control the
size of stoma
18
 Stomata

•To allow Guard cells

rapid
gaseous
exchange
with the
atmosphere
stomata
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

xylem

• to transport water
and mineral salts
towards the leaf
• for mechanical
support

20
Cross-section of a leaf of dicotyledon

phloem

• to transport organic
substances
(food/sugar/glucose/s
ucrose) away from
the leaf

21
 Investigation
• Investigate the need for chlorophyll, light and carbon
dioxide for photosynthesis, using appropriate controls

• Effect of varying light intensity on the rate of

photosynthesis.
• Effect of varying Carbon dioxide on the rate of
photosynthesis.
• Effect of varying Temperature on the rate of
photosynthesis.

22
 Investigate the need of Chlorophyll for
Photosynthesis
• Keep plant in dark room for 3 days to remove
starch from leaf.
• Variegated leaf [leaf prepared by taping or
covered with aluminum foil]
• Then keep plant for 6 hour in sunlight.
• Pluck the leaf and keep in boiling water.
• Do starch test on leaf.

23
To test a leaf for the presence of Starch

boiling
boiling alcohol hot water
water
iodine

turn off turn off

Bunsen Bunsen
burner burner
white tile

24
 To test a leaf for the presence of Starch
• Boil leaf 5 min, in boiling water.
• Keep boiled leaf in Ethanol in test tube.
• Keep test tube in boiling hot water and water level in
beaker higher than ethanol.
• Wait leaf bubbling will stop, before removing the leaf
from test tube.
• When bubble stop, leaf remove from test tube and put
into beaker in boiling water.
• Remove the leaf and dry with filter paper on white tile.
• Put iodine solution on leaf, blue black colour will
produce.
25
 To test a leaf for the presence of Starch
1. Why is the leaf first boiled in water ?
Ans: Because the process can soften the leaf, break down the cuticle
and kill the leaf.
2. Why is the leaf then boiled in alcohol ?
Ans: To decolourize the leaf (to remove chlorophyll).
3. Why is it important to turn off the Bunsen burner when you are
heating the alcohol ?
Ans: Because alcohol catches fire easily.
4. Why is the leaf put in hot water after being boiled in alcohol ?
Ans: Since the leaf becomes brittle after boiling in alcohol, so dipping it
into hot water enables it to be softened.
5. What colour change can be observed if starch is present ?
Ans: The leaf becomes blue-black when iodine solution is added to it.
26
 Investigate the need of Chlorophyll for
Photosynthesis
1. Which part of the leaf turns blue-black when treated
with iodine solution ?
Ans: Only the green part.
2. Is chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis?
Ans: Yes.
3. What is the control in this experiment?
Ans: The green part of the leaf acts as the control.

27
Investigate the need of light for photosynthesis

• Take a de-starched plant. Cover parts of the

plant with Aluminum foil, so light won't
pass through Aluminum foil to leaf.
• Leave plant in light for a few hours
• Test for starch:
• Only the parts uncovered will turn
blue/black
• Do starch test on leaf……..
28
Investigate the need of Carbon Dioxide for
Photosynthesis

sunlight

B
A potassium hydroxide
solution
water

29
 Investigate the need of Carbon Dioxide for
Photosynthesis
• Enclose plant in plastic bag with a substance that absorbs
carbon dioxide (e.g. Soda lime)
• Leave the plant in light for a few hours
• Set up a CONTROL experiment in exact way WITHOUT
soda lime and not enclosed in plastic bag. (So ensure that
absence of CO2 caused lack of starch)
• Test for starch:
• Experiment 1 will have negative result for starch
(red/brown) because NO Carbon dioxide = NO
photosynthesis = NO starch
Control will be opposite
30
 Investigate the need of Carbon Dioxide for
Photosynthesis
1. Why is potassium hydroxide solution put in one of the
flasks ?
Ans: To absorb all the carbon dioxide in flask B.
2. What happens to each leaf after testing the presence
of starch at the end of the experiment ?
Ans: The leaf in flask A changes to blue-black while the leaf
in flask B stains brown.
3. What do your results suggest about the relationship
between carbon dioxide and photosynthesis ?
Ans: Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis. 31
Investigate and describe the effects of varying
light intensity, Temperature and carbon
dioxide concentration on the rate of
photosynthesis e.g. in submerged aquatic
plants

32
 Investigate and describe the effects of varying light
intensity on the rate of photosynthesis e.g. in
submerged aquatic plants
• Cut 5cm of pondweed
• Attach paperclip to pondweed to stop floating
• Put a lamp close to the plant and measure the distance
between them
• Count the number of bubbles released over 5 minutes.
Repeat several times and count the average.
• Repeat procedure with the lamp at different distances to
the plant
• The closer the lamp is to the plant, the higher the light
intensity = gives more energy to the plant
*Above a certain conc. rate stays constant 33
 Investigate and describe the effects of varying
temperature on the rate of photosynthesis e.g. in
submerged aquatic plants

• Cut 5cm pieces of pondweed and place into test tubes,

which are placed into beakers of water at diff. temps.
• Minimum of 5 diff temps from 10-40 degrees
• The lamp is kept at one distance (constant light intensity)
• Sodium hydrogen carbonate added to water in test tubes
to maintain carbon dioxide conc.
• Count the number of bubbles released over 5 minutes.
Repeat several times and count the average.
• The maximum rate of photosynthesis occurs at
OPTIMUM TEMP.
34
Investigate and describe the effects of varying carbon
dioxide on the rate of photosynthesis e.g. in
submerged aquatic plants

• Cut 5cm of 5 pieces of pondweed and place each into

test tubes
• Add diff. quantities of sodium hydrogen carbonate into
water (increases conc.)
• Light intensity and temp. must remain constant
• Results: Increase in CO2 = increase in rate of
photosynthesis
*Above a certain conc. rate stays constant
35
 The concept of limiting factors

•The availability of light, carbon dioxide, water

and a suitable temperature all affect the rate of
photosynthesis.
•The rate of photosynthesis is control by one of
these factor is in shortest supply.
•The factors will limit the rate of
photosynthesis, even other all factors are ideal
(Optimum). Called limited factors.

36
Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis
1. Light intensity
• Light intensity determines the energy available to photosynthesis
• As light intensity increases = rate increases because it is
limiting factor
• Doesn't matter if temp, or CO2 conc. is high; if light is low =
low energy = low rate of Photosynthesis
• Later the rate remains constant even tho light intensity
increases because it is no longer limiting factor. It might be
CO2 or temp
2. Carbon dioxide concentration
• Carbon dioxide concentration increase: Rate of Photosynthesis
increase
• Carbon Dioxide is a raw material for photosynthesis = so if
increased = more available for chloroplast enzymes to use to
make carbohydrates 37
Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis

1. Temperature
Temperature increase: Rate of Photosynthesis increase
Temperature > 40℃: Rate decreases and stop soon

2. Water supply
If no water, stomata close no gaseous exchange photosynthesis
ceases

38
• Use hydrogen carbonate indicator solution to
investigate the effect of gas exchange of an
aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark

39
 • Use hydrogen carbonate indicator solution to
investigate the effect of gas exchange of an
aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark

• Hydrogen carbonate indicator solution is RED

1st. Set up a test tube with 10 cm pondweed, TINFOIL (to
prevent light passing) and hydrogen carbonate indicator
• 2nd. Set up a test tube with 10 cm pondweed and
hydrogen carbonate indicator
• 3rd. CONTROL Set up a test tube with hydrogen carbonate
indicator solution ONLY
• Leave the test tubes near a light for 2-3 hours
If carbon dioxide is added to the water by the plant the
solution will turn YELLOW.
40
• Use hydrogen carbonate indicator solution to
investigate the effect of gas exchange of an
aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark

• If carbon dioxide is removed from the water by the plant the

solution will turn PURPLE.
• 1st will turn yellow because carbon dioxide was ADDED by
PONDWEED because of RESPIRATION (since there was no
sunlight)
• 2nd will turn purple because carbon dioxide was TAKEN IN by
PONDWEED for PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• 3rd is red because CONTROL

41
 6.3 Mineral nutrition
• In order to synthesize amino acids, nitrate ions which
must be taken into the plant from the soil through the
root
• Nitrate ions chemical react with carbohydrates to make
amino acids in plants.
• Amino acids are structural and functional units of
proteins
• Other minerals are also necessary to maintain the life
of the plant (N, Mg, P, K, S, etc)

42
Mineral requirements in plants
Nitrogen Magnesium

• For synthesis of proteins, • Essential component of

chlorophyll chlorophyll
• Taken in form of nitrate ions • Deficiency symptoms:
• Deficiency symptoms: • Yellowing of leaves (no
• Little growth ( - no chlorophyll made)
protein made) • Poor growth (no food
• Yellowing of leaves ( - no manufactured because of
chlorophyll made) lack of chlorophyll)

43