C1.3- photosynthesis

Formula for photosynthesis

6CO2 +6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2

pigments

each plants of leaf appears a certain colour, but in reality it is made up of a variety of different pigments.

the only green structure is chloroplasts

how can pigments be separated

chromatography: a process in which pigments separate because they have different migration rates

Rf value

pigement distance/ final distance

absorption spectra

shows the absorption at each wavelength, each wavelength absorbs and reflects different amounts of light, the ones that are reflected are those that have the lowest absorption rates; what colour you are.

Action spectrum

shows the photosynthetic activity for each wavelength, normally similar to the absorbtion spectra, can show which pigments are most efficient for photosynthesis.

enclosed greenhouses

can control the levels of CO2 to see the effect it has on photosynthesis, the problem is that it doesn’t take into consideration any of natural factors

FACE experiments

free air carbon dioxide enrichment experiments: control the carbon dioxide levels but also have all the natural factors that may affect

Photosystems types + location

two photosystems: photosystem II works best at a wave length of 680 (P680), photosystem I works best in wavelength of 700 (P700)

located in the thylakoid membrane within the chloroplasts

photosystems role

they are important for the light dependent stage of photosynthesis, they are responsible for collecting the electrons and absorbing the light.

Photosystems how they function

centre of photosystems in the reaction centre, next to the reaction centre. made up of a primary electron acceptor and a special chlorophyl a. on either side are areas with accessory pigments

when the pigments absorb a photo, it excites the electrons of the molecules, these electrons move along from pigment to pigment till they reach the chlorophyl a, then chlorophyl a the electrons can move away and reach the primary electron acceptor

role of many accessory pigments

allow for more efficient light absorption, creating more excited electrons to be used in photosynthesis, increasing rate

ADP to ATP in photosynthesis

photophosphorylation