B7.2 PHOTOSYNTHESIS (NOT AGAIN??!!

) 6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2 As stated in the last section, this is a simplified equation for photosynthesis. Light energy is absorbed by the chemical chlorophyll. This energy is used to convert the carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.

Figure 3 shows the structure of glucose Glucose is a sugar which can be used for 3 purposes
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It can be changed into chemicals needed for the growth of plant cells. These chemicals include cellulose, proteins and chlorophyll. It can be used in respiration to release energy. It can be converted into starch for storage. Starch is a better storage molecule than glucose, because it is insoluble and doesnt mess up the osmotic balance in the cell. (If there is a difference in sugar levels, osmosis can take place either bursting or shrivelling plant cells. NASTY!)

Figure 4 shows the structure of starch it is a polymer of glucose!! DONT LEARN THIS FORMULA!!!!!! ON SECOND THOUGHTS!! THE COMPENSATION POINT The compensation point is where the rate of photosynthesis exactly matches the rate of respiration. At this point, the uptake of carbon dioxide through photosynthesis matches the respiratory release of carbon dioxide, and the uptake of oxygen by respiration is exactly matched to the release of oxygen in photosynthesis. This point is reached during early mornings and late evenings. At the compensation point, the rate of photosynthesis is balanced to the rate of respiration so that the plant is neither consuming nor building biomass. For aquatic plants where the level of light at any given depth is roughly constant for most of the day, the compensation point is the depth at which light penetrating the water creates the same balanced effect. The energy released during respiration in plants can be used to convert glucose to starch and cellulose (another polymer), and also to convert glucose and nitrates to amino acids (which are the building blocks of proteins. ACTIVE TRANSPORT (BUSES OR TRAINS??!) This is the movement of molecules or ions across a cell membrane using energy provided by respiration. Examples of substances that can be
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actively transported across membranes are sodium ions and glucose. Active transport occurs in plant roots, which absorb nitrates this way. Energy is needed because the movement occurs against a concentration gradient, with substances being moved from an area of low concentration to an area where there is a higher concentration. (the opposite of the situation in diffusion, where molecules move from high to low concentration.) RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS This is affected by the light intensity, the concentration of carbon dioxide and the temperature as shown in figures 5, 6 and 7 below.

How The Light Intensity Affects The Rate Of Photosynthesis

Figure 5 At high light intensity, the rate of photosynthesis levels out, not due to light intensity but due to other limiting factors, including competition between oxygen and carbon dioxide.. How Carbon Dioxide Concentration Affects The Rate Of Photosynthesis

Figure 6 As carbon dioxide concentration increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases until the enzymes are working flat out!! How The Temperature Affects The Rate Of Photosynthesis

Figure 7 As the temperature goes up, the rate of photosynthesis increases until you get to the optimum temperature. Above this temperature, the enzymes start to become denatured.