Photosynthesis
Biology 4 Life Special Course
Lesson Objectives
Students will be introduced to the following key points:
- Definition 81
- Word and Chemical Equations 81
- Internal and External Structure of Leaves 76-77
- Adaptations of Leaves for Photosynthesis 78
- Factors Affecting Photosynthesis 84
- Limiting Factors 85
- Mineral Requirements of Plants
Plant Nutrition
Animals obtain their food by eating other
organisms, breaking them down with their
digestive enzymes, and absorbing the end
products. This is known as Heterotrophic Nutrition.
Plants manufacture simple sugars (organic
materials) from raw materials (inorganic matter)
through the process of Photosynthesis. This is
known as Autotrophic Nutrition.
Plants are autotrophs – self
producers.
Food nutrients are produced in
the leaf within the stoma and
mesophyll cell.
Plant Structure/Organelle
Stomata
(Stoma ) Mesophyll Cell Chloroplast
Pores in a plant’s Major function is to • Organelle where
cuticle through contain photosynthesis
which water and chloroplasts which takes place.
gases are carry out
exchanged between photosynthesis.
the plant and the
atmosphere.
Chloroplast Anatomy
Outer Membrane
Intramembrane Space
Inner Membrane
Thylakoid
Membrane
(Photosynthetic
Stroma membrane)
Thylakoid Space
Chloroplast Anatomy
Composed of 3 membranes:
1. Outer membrane
2. Inner membrane (just below the outer membrane)
3. Thylakoid (photosynthetic) membrane (in the
middle)
The chloroplast has an inner and outer membrane
with an empty intermediate space in between.
Thylakoids Stacks, called Grana - contain the
chlorophyll that is necessary for the plant to go
through photosynthesis.
Stroma - the dense fluid inside of the chloroplast
Lamella – connects and separates grana
Lumen - space inside the thylakoid discs is called the
lumen, or, more specifically, the thylakoid lumen.
Leaf Anatomy
Cross section through a leaf
Leaf Adaptations for
Photosynthesis
stoma for gas exchange (largely on the underside to
maximize the number of palisade cells)
thin to allow gases to reach the mesophyll cells
quickly
water-proof cuticle to reduce transpiration and some
water stress
good support and transport system
xylem to bring water and minerals
phloem to carry away the products of
photosynthesis
Both xylem and phloem form the midrib or main
vein of the leaf. The midrib keeps the leaf strong and
supports it in an upright position
Leaf Adaptations for Photosynthesis
large surface area to trap maximum light and
absorb lots of CO2
palisade mesophyll near the top to trap
maximum light
spongy mesophyll to aid in light absorption
leaves arranged spread out in a special way so
that each leaf maximizes the amount of light
falling on it and so the lower leaves are not
shaded by the ones above.
transparent cuticle and upper epidermis to allow
maximum light penetration
Note flow of materials through the leaf
Epidermis, palisade
mesophyll, spongy
mesophyll (intercellular
spaces), xylem, phloem,
guard cells
Chlorophyll mainly in
leaves
carbon dioxide in air
through stomata
water through xylem
sunlight to leaves
Plant Color
1. Why are plants green?
Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in chloroplast.
Plants are green because the green wavelength is
reflected, not absorbed.
2. During the fall, what causes the leaves to change
colors?
In addition to the chlorophyll pigments, there are
other pigments present.
During the fall, the green chlorophyll pigments are
greatly reduced revealing the other pigments.
Carotenoids are pigments that are either red or
yellow.
Photosynthesis
Is the process when
green plants make
their own food from
simple raw materials
around them.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
The light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and
water into sugar (glucose). The sugar is the plant’s food
and oxygen is made as a by-product.
During photosynthesis light energy from the sun is
converted into chemical bond energy in the glucose.
The energy that is needed for this process to
occur comes from sunlight.
Chlorophyll is a substance that absorbs sunlight.
Chloroplast, within the leaves, contains lots of
chlorophyll.
The inorganic material plants need to photosynthesize
are obtained from the soil (water), the air (carbon
dioxide), and the sun (light energy).
Photosynthesis
It occurs in two phases:
1. Light Dependent Phases (Light Reaction)
- converts light energy into chemical energy;
produces ATP molecules to be used to fuel
light-independent reaction
- require sunlight
- produce ATP, NADPH and O2
2. Light Independent Phase (Calvin Cycle or
Dark Reaction)
- uses ATP produced to make simple sugars.
- does not require sunlight
- produces glucose
Both the light dependent reactions and the light
independent reactions occur within the
chloroplasts of plant cells.
The Light DEPENDENT
Reactions
This occurs within the photosynthetic membrane.
Summary of the Light Dependent Reactions
Use light as an energy source to help split the
water molecules
Occur in the photosynthetic membrane
(thylakoid)
Produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and
NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate) that are used in the dark reactions to
make glucose.
Use e-s from water to replace those lost by
chlorophyll.
Produce O2 as a byproduct.
LIGHT INDEPENDENT Reactions
A.K.A Calvin Cycle. This occurs within the area
between the photosynthetic membrane and the
inner membrane (the stroma).
Do not require light to occur but can occur in the
presence of light.
Summary of the Light Independent Reactions
6 CO2 + ATP + NADPH C6H12O6 + ADP +
NADP+
The ADP AND NADP+ are returned to the light
reactions to be reenergized.
Uses the energy in ATP and NADPH (from the light
reactions) to fix carbon.
CO2 is an inorganic compound. C6H12O6 is an organic
compound. Incorporating an inorganic compound into
an organic compound is known as Fixation.
Each turn of the Calvin Cycle makes a 3-carbon
compound. Therefore, 2 turns of the Calvin Cycle are
needed to produce one glucose molecule.
Dependent vs Independent
He earned the Nobel prize for
determining the biochemical
pathway used to make glucose
Melvin Calvin
Rate of Photosynthesis
The rate of photosynthesis can be measured
by counting the number of bubbles released
by an aquatic plant (e.g. Elodea – a pond
weed).
There are five factors that can affect the rate
of photosynthesis.
If one or more of the factors are in short
supply the rate of photosynthesis will be
lessened.
The factor in short supply is known as the
limiting factor.
Factors that Affect the Rate of Photosynthesis
Limiting Factor Limiting Factor
#1 Limiting Factor #3
Carbon Dioxide: #2
Light intensity: Temperature:
Temperature Low = Rate
As CO2 increases, rate As light increases,
of photosynthesis low
of photosynthesis rate of Temperature Increases =
increases photosynthesis Rate of photosynthesis
Without raw materials increases increases
no reaction will occur Less light = less If temperature too hot,
energy to split water rate drops
molecules to form
sugars
Factors that Affect the Rate of Photosynthesis
Limiting Factor #
4 Limiting Factor 5
Water Presence of Chlorophyll
Without raw Less chlorophyll =
materials no less light energy
reaction will absorbed
occur
Limiting Factors
Why is photosynthesis important?
• The energy we get from the food we eat
originally came from plants, which
absorbed energy from the sun.
• Produces oxygen: they recycle the carbon
dioxide we breathe out and turns it back
into oxygen so that we never run out.
OTHER ESSENTIAL
NUTRIENTS
Essential Nutrients
Water is not the only nutrient plants obtain
from the soil.
Mineral available in the soil are needed for the
plant to survive, remain healthy, and produce
food.
When the soil does not have enough nutrients
the farmer or gardener adds more as
fertilizers. There are various types of fertilizers.
Fertilizers can be natural or chemical.
Essential Nutrients
Minor/trace elements needed by plants are:
Boron Zinc Copper
Silicon Aluminum
Molybdenum Sodium
Chlorine Cobalt Manganese
Major elements Purpose of element Plant’s condition if deficient Source of element
Calcium Formation of cell wall; Weak, stunted growth Soil and fertilizers
Promotes growth of young
roots and shoots
Iron Chlorophyll synthesis Yellow leaves; poor growth Decomposing plant matter and ferric
oxide in soil
Magnesium Chlorophyll synthesis, Yellow leaves, Purple, brown or red Soil, fertilizers, chemical sprays,
Enzyme functioning spots on leaves, poor growth Epsom salts
Nitrogen Protein and chlorophyll Stunted growth, very small flowers Nitrogen fixation, nitrates and
synthesis, Control of P and ammonium compounds, fertilizers
K uptake
Phosphorus Make cell membranes, Root Poorly developed roots that cause Fertilizers and phosphates
growth, Development of rapid wilting in dry conditions,
fruits and flowers, ATP stunted growth, red or purple
formation, Synthesis of patches on stems & leaves, molting
nucleic acid of leaves, few flowers
Potassium Correct salt balance in Very poor growth; Small and Potassium chloride and potassium
cells, Development of stunted, Weak stems, Orange, sulphate
strong stems, Fruit yellow or brown spots on leaves,
formation & photosynthesis Poor formation of fruits and seeds
process
What's wrong with these plants?
