Biology: Photosynthesis

Biomass

The mass of organisms/living material in a given area or ecosystem

Chloroplasts

Disc shaped organelle containing chlorophyll and location where photosynthesis occurs

Chlorophyll

A green pigment found in chloroplasts which absorbs energy transmitted from the sun as light

Starch

A storage carbohydrate found in roots and plant leaves formed by the synthesis of many glucose molecules joined together

Palisade cells

A long rectangular cell found near near the top of the leaf packed full of chloroplasts for absorbing maximum light

Stomata

A small pore found on the underside of leaves to allow exchange of gases, carbon dioxide and oxygen, and exit of water vapour

Spongy mesophyll

A layer of cells containing chloroplasts below the palisade layer, consisting of loosely arranged, irregularly shaped cells with air spaces to allow diffusion of gases

Carbon dioxide and water

The raw materials for photosynthesis. These molecules chemically combine to produce glucose

Light

Provides the energy to fuel the process for photosynthesis

Glucose and oxygen

The products formed in photosynthesis

Minerals

Chemicals important for the healthy growth of plants

Nitrate

A mineral essential for building amino acids and proteins used for growth. Plants lacking nitrate will be stunted

Magnesium

An essential plant nutrient needed to make chlorophyll. Plants lacking magnesium will be yellow in colour

Diffusion

The movement of gas or liquid molecules from a region of higher concentration to a region of lower concentration until they are equal

Concentration gradient

Refers to the gradual change in concentration of solutes present in a solution between 2 regions

Cellulose

An insoluble substance found in plant cell walls. It is a carbohydrate consisting of chains of glucose molecules joined together

Lipids

A substance such as a fat, oil or wax that is insoluble in water and is an important part of living cells

Proteins

Large molecules made up of chains of amino acids and important in the structure and function of the cells

Root hairs

Found on the outer cells of the root and provide a large surface area for absorbing water and mineral ions

Xylem

Plant tissue that transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves and gives support to the stem

Phloem

Plant tissue that transports dissolved sugars from the leaves to the root, shoots and flowers

Biomass

The mass of living biological organisms/living material in a given area or ecosystem

Starch makeup

Many smaller glucose molecules

De starched plant

Plant with no stores of starch

How to de starch a plant according to WikiHow

Keep it in the dark

Why does the WikiHow de starching method work?

All the starch is broken down into glucose and used for respiration and can’t make more because there’s no light for photosynthesis

Independent Variable

Variable that you can manipulate because we are all toxic in science

Dependent variable

The one you observe like Edward cullen observing Bella in her sleep 😖

Control variable

The variable that doesn’t change like how your ex doesn’t change

Main features of leaves

Thin depth, veins, large surface area, green, stomata

Large surface area

Maximise photosynthesis

Leaf is green because

Chlorophyll makes it green

Leaves are thin so

Light can pass through

Leaf veins

Transport minerals and water like the London Underground and also keep the shape of the leaf and regulate water supply like little security guards

Iodine when starch is present

turns blue-black

Iodine when starch isn’t present

Turns browny yellow

Plants make food from

Air, water and sunlight

CO2 can only be released

When there is light present

New plant biomass comes from

glucose produced in photosynthesis