science: ch 1

photosynthesis and the carbon cycle

nitrogen

develops leaves, helps with making chlorophyll and protein

yellow leaves, poor growth

phosphorus

develops roots, helps to provide energy for photosynthesis and respiration

poor growth

potassium

develops flowers and fruits, helps to make chlorophyll and protein

yellow and abnormal leaves

magnesium

helps to make chlorophyll

yellow leaves

photosynthesis

the process by which plants produce food using light

word equation for photosynthesis

water + carbon dioxide = glucose + oxygen

chlorophyll

a green pigment found inside chloroplasts, which captures energy from light

stomata

small holes in the epidermis of a leaf, which allow gases to diffuse into and out of the leaf

waxy layer

found on the leaf surface and stops leaf cells from drying out

upper/lower epidermis

protects cells inside the leaf

palisade layer

contains cells that do most of the photosynthesis

spongy layer

contains lots of air spaces

vein

carries water to the cells in the leaf

glucose

the main product of photosynthesis and is soluble in water

starch

stored in the form of insoluble, colorless grains, which are found in a leaf cell’s cytoplasm, palisade, and spongy mesophyll layers

iodine solution

tests the presence of starch

nitrogen

used for the development of leaves, and is needed in making chlorophyll and protein

phosphorus

used for the development of roots, to make food by photosynthesis, and to respire

potassium

used for the development of flowers and fruits, and is needed in making chlorophyll and protein

magnesium

used for making chlorophyll

carbon cycle

the pathway by which carbon atoms cycle between organisms and the environment

fossil fuels

natural resources formed over millions of years such as coal, oil, and natural gas

renewable energy

energy that can’t run out; there is an infinite source, such as wind, tidal, or solar energy

non-renewable energy

energy that can run out; there is a finite source, such as coal, oil, gas, or nuclear energy

mass extinction

the loss of a large number of species