Plant Nutrition - Photosynthesis

Biology

What is photosynthesis?

• Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make carbohydrates using carbon dioxide and water using light as a source of energy.

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen

What are required for photosynthesis?

• Light energy and chlorophyll are required for photosynthesis.

What happens to the glucose during photosynthesis?

• The glucose produced during photosynthesis is either broken down to release energy or converted into other substances like sucrose, starch, cellulose, and nectar.

What are essential for photosynthesis?

• Carbon dioxide, light and chlorophyll are essential for photosynthesis.

What are essential mineral ions in plants?

• Essential mineral ions in plants include nitrate ions for making amino acids and magnesium ions for synthesising chlorophyll.

What affects the rate of photosynthesis

• Varying the carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity and the temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis.

Increase in carbon dioxide concentration/intensity of light

• An increase in the carbon dioxide concentration/intensity of light increases the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain level after which it remains constant.

Increase in temperature

• An increase in the temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain level after which the rate decreases. This is since enzymes work best at an optimum temperature.

What is the balanced equation of photosynthesis?

What are limiting factors?

• Limiting factors are factors like carbon dioxide concentration, light intensity and temperature that limit the rate of photosynthesis.