2.
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LEAF STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.1
Pupils are able to
justify the
necessity of
photosynthesis in
plants.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The necessity of photosynthesis in plants
1) Providing the basic
food source in
ecosystems.
Plants are producers in
ecosystems.
They serve as the basic
food source for other
organisms.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The necessity of photosynthesis in plants
2) Maintaining energy flow in
ecosystems
During photosynthesis, light
energy is trapped by plants.
The light energy is converted to
chemical energy that is stored
in plants.
The chemical energy is
transferred along food chains
and is eventually lost as heat to
the surroundings.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The necessity of photosynthesis in plants
3) Maintaining an oxygen and
carbon dioxide balance
Plants remove carbon
dioxide from atmosphere
by photosynthesis. This
slowing global warming.
Photolysis of water by
plants releases the oxygen
that all aerobic organisms
require for aerobic
respiration.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.2
Pupils are able to relate the adaptations of internal
structure of a leaf to photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Leaves Adaptations for Photosynthesis
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Leaves Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Mosaic arrangement
of leaves
Leaf lamina
1) Broad and flat
2) Thin
3) Waxy cuticle layer
Midrib and
Support and spread the
veins
KSSM Biology Form 5 leaf lamina
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Leaves Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Mosaic arrangement
of leaves
Minimizes
overlapping of
leaves
Maximizes leaf
exposure to
sunlight.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Leaves Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Leaf lamina
1) Broad and flat - provides
a large surface area for
absorption of sunlight.
2) Thin - allows gases and
light to reach mesophyll
cells easily.
3) Cuticle: waxy, waterproof
& transparent
reduces water loss
more light penetration.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
In order to photosynthesis efficiently a leaf needs:
a) An efficient
means of c) A way of
absorbing transporting
light energy. water to the leaf.
b) A method for d) A system for the
exchange of removal of
glucose so that it
gases
can be
between the transported to
leaf and its other parts of the
surroundings. plants.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Internal structure of a Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Upper epidermis
1) Covered by thin layer of
transparent waxy cuticle:
Reduces water loss by
evaporation from the
leaf.
Allows the free passage
of light.
Lower epidermis
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Internal structure of a Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
2) Have stomata.
Each stoma is
surrounded by a pair of
guard cells.
The stomata allow
carbon dioxide to diffuse
into the leaf, oxygen and
water vapour to diffuse
Stoma Lower epidermis
out.
Guard cells
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Internal structure of a Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
Palisade mesophyll
3) Consists of tightly
packed cells that contain
many chloroplasts.
Allows the absorption
of the maximum
amount of sunlight.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Internal structure of a Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
4) The cells contain some
chloroplasts.
Consists of loosely packed
cells with large air spaces.
Allows rapid diffusion of
gases.
Spongy mesophyll
Air space
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Internal structure of a Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
4) Vascular
bundles
Xylem:
transports water
Xylem and mineral
Vascular ions.
bundle Phloem:
Phloem transports the
organic
products such
as sucrose.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.3
Pupils are able to
identify structures of a
chloroplast:
(i) granum.
(ii) thylakoid.
(iii) stroma.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Leaf
Chloroplast
Leaf cross section Photosynthetic cell
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Chloroplast
1) Enclosed by a double membrane.
2) Filled with a jelly-like fluid – stroma (contains enzymes).
3) Chlorophyll is located in the thylakoid membrane.
4) A stack of thylakoids – granum.
Outer membrane
Inner membrane
Stroma Thylakoid Granum
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Chloroplast The site for
photosynthesis
Outer membrane
Inner membrane
Thylakoid
Granum
Stroma
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Chloroplast The site for
photosynthesis Outer membrane
Inner membrane
Thylakoid
Granum
Stroma
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Chromatography
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Chromatography Distance moved by the pigment
Rf value =
Distance moved b solvent front
Pigment Rf value
Carotene 0.95
Xanthophyll 0.71
Chlorophyll a 0.65
Loading Chlorophyll b 0.45
point
Solvent
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.4
Pupils are able to relate
light-dependent and light
independent reactions in
photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Photosynthesis
Chloroplast
Thylakoid
Stroma
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Photosynthesis
H2O CO2
ATP
Sunlight NADPH
Light- Light
dependen independent
t reactions
reactions NADP+
ADP + P
O2 Sugars
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Light-dependent
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis
Light independent
reactions reactions
H2
Chloroplas CO2
Occurs in O Occurs in the
the t stroma
thylakoid
Membran
tilakoid
Sugar
O2
KSSM Biology Form 5 s
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Light-dependent reactions Light independent reactions
Light energy Carbon dioxide
Absorbed by CO2 combines with a 5-carbon organic
chlorophyll compound (RuBP) to form an unstable 6-
carbon molecule catalysed by enzyme
Chlorophyll becomes energized, supplies energy
to ..
6-carbon molecule breaks down into two 3-
Photophosphorylation carbon molecules (glyceraldehde-3-phosphate)
Split H2O
ADP + P ATP
Oxygen H+ trapped by Energy for light
NADP+ to form independent G3P is important in forming
NADPH reaction
glucose, other sugars, cellulose
By product Regeneration and starches. It also important in
of RuBP amino acid and fatty acid
NADPH for light independent reaction
synthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.5
Pupils are able to write a chemical equation to
represent the process of photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Photosynthesis
Carbo Light energy
n + Water Glucose + Oxygen
Chlorophyll
dioxide
Light energy
6 CO2 + 6 H2O Chlorophyll
C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Light energy Chemical energy
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.6
Pupils are able to compare and contrast light dependent and
light-independent reactions in photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Occurs in the Occurs in
Requires thylakoid the stroma Does not
sunlight require
Both occur in sunlight
chloroplast
Reaction Light- Light Reaction
substance: independent substance:
dependent
Water CO2
reactions reactions
Both occur
Reaction during the day Reaction
product: Product:
Involves Involves
Oxygen Glucose
photolysis reduction of
of water CO2
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.7
Pupils are able to explain environmental factors that
affect the rate of photosynthesis:
(i) light intensity.
(ii) temperature.
(iii) concentration of carbon dioxide.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The environmental factors that affect rate of photosynthesis
Light Temperature Carbon dioxide
intensity concentration
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The environmental factors that affect rate of photosynthesis
Light intensity
At high light intensities,
there is no change in the
rate of photosynthesis.
The rate is now
limited by a factor
other than light
The rate of photosynthesis intensity, eg. CO2
increases with increasing concentration.
light intensity.
Light must be the limiting factor.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The environmental factors that affect rate of photosynthesis
Temperature At optimum temperature,
the rate of photosynthesis
is maximum.
At high
temperatures,
The rate of photosynthesis enzymes are
increases with an increase denatured,
in temperature. photosynthesis stops.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The environmental factors that affect rate of photosynthesis
CO2
As CO2 is increasing,
concentration
there is no increase
in the rate of
photosynthesis.
Another factor is
limiting the rate,
The rate of photosynthesis eg. light intensity.
increases with increasing CO2
concentration.
CO2 is the limiting
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.8
Pupils are able to conduct
experiments to study effects
of environmental factors on
the rate of photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Investigation of the effects of light intensity on the
rate of photosynthesis rubber tubing
clip
dilute sodium
hydrogen- pipette
carbonate
solution
thermometer
Hydrilla
Water
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.0 Leaf structure and function
Learning Standard 2.4.9
Pupils are able to analyse the effects of different light
intensities and colours of light on the rates of
photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
The visible spectrum of colour
Violet Blue Cyan Green Yellow Orange Red
400 nm 450 nm 500 nm 550 nm 600 nm 650 nm 700 nm
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Reflected light
Light (green)
Chloroplast
Absorbed light
(Blue and red) Transmitted light
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Absorption spectrum A graph of the amount of light absorbed by
each photosynthetic pigment at different
light wavelengths.
Blue and red light
are most strongly
absorbed by
chlorophyll.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Action spectrum A graph of the rate of photosynthesis performed
by an organism at different light wavelengths.
Blue and red light
give the highest
rates of
photosynthesis.
KSSM Biology Form 5
2.4 Main Organ for Photosynthesis 2.0 Leaf structure and function
Absorption and Action Spectra
KSSM Biology Form 5
