Plant Nutrition and Photosynthesis

These flashcards cover key concepts related to plant nutrition and photosynthesis, including definitions, processes, and experimental methods.

Photosynthesis

Process by which plants make carbohydrates from raw materials such as water and carbon dioxide using energy from light.

Raw materials of photosynthesis

Water and carbon dioxide are essential for photosynthesis; water is absorbed from the soil, and carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air.

Chloroplasts

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs, containing chlorophyll.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment in chloroplasts that traps light energy for photosynthesis.

Word equation of photosynthesis

Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen.

Balanced symbol equation of photosynthesis

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Uses of glucose in plants

Glucose is used in respiration, converted into starch for storage, synthesized into sucrose for transport, and used to form cellulose, amino acids, and oils.

Factors necessary for photosynthesis

Light, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, and water.

Control experiment

A setup used to compare results of an experiment to determine the effects of a specific variable.

De-starching a plant

Keeping a plant in the dark to remove any stored starch, ensuring accurate experimental results.

Starch test on leaves

Boiling a leaf to remove chlorophyll, then testing with iodine solution; a blue-black color indicates starch presence.

Variegated leaf

A leaf that has both green (chlorophyll-containing) and non-green parts used in experiments to show the necessity of chlorophyll for photosynthesis.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution in experiments

Used to absorb carbon dioxide in flask experiments to demonstrate its necessity for photosynthesis.

Light intensity and photosynthesis

Rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing light intensity, up to a point where other factors may become limiting.

Limiting factors of photosynthesis

Environmental factors such as light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and water availability that can restrict the rate of photosynthesis.

Greenhouse effect on crop yield

Greenhouses create optimal growth conditions by controlling water, light, and carbon dioxide, thus enhancing photosynthesis and crop yields.

Hydrogen carbonate (HCO3) indicator

Used to test for CO2 presence in a solution; it changes color from red to purple in alkaline conditions and yellow in acidic conditions.

Stoma

Opening on the leaf surface for gas exchange, allowing CO2 to enter and O2 to exit.

Epidermal cells function

Provide protection and allow light to penetrate, as they do not contain chloroplasts.

Nitrate ions role in plants

Absorbed from soil for amino acid synthesis necessary for protein formation and overall plant growth.

Magnesium ions role in plants

Essential for chlorophyll production; deficiency leads to yellowing of leaves and reduced photosynthesis.