5.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Plants make glucose in a process called photosynthesis
• Photo= light, synthesis= to make
• All living things depend on photosynthesis
• Herbivores eat the plants
• Other animals eats herbivores
• Fungi, bacteria and other organisms feed on dead plants and dead animals
• Plants are vital for living things
• Plants make food using light energy (from the Sun) and turn into chemical energy
• stored as new plant materials (food)
• Oxygen is released as waste product
• Green leaves have chloroplasts which contain chlorophyll
• Green pigment that absorbed light
• Enzymes are involved in photosynthesis
• Stomata (singular: stoma) are pores located underside of the leaves where gaseous
exchange takes place (oxygen and carbon dioxide)
Stoma in a tomato leaf
Rose Leaf Stomata
The need for water and minerals
• Water is needed for photosynthesis, cells of the plant rigid, supports the stems and leaves
• Plant take in water through roots and root hair (take in more water)
• Plants also need proteins to make enzymes and build the cells
• Minerals are taken in through the roots
How photosynthesis takes place in plants & Process of photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/xEF8shaU_34
Destarching plants
• To destarch-
• Leave the plant completely in the dark for about a week
• Plant will use up all of the starch stores in the leaves
• It can test with iodine solution
2. Plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen which everyone need to breathe.
EFFECT OF LIGHT ON PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Starch test

https://youtu.be/_rCjKTgAxgE

https://youtu.be/0s_xZqvwm_s
Detection of oxygen produced in photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/7wu4-lpM8RM

Oxygen is liberated during Photosynthesis Practical Experiment

https://youtu.be/3RBl3xqnCrc
Light is essential for Photosynthesis Practical Experiment
(Destarched plant)

https://youtu.be/YtvyFOvbgu8
Effect of light on growing plants

https://youtu.be/jJrqmkbiwdE
CO₂ is necessary for Photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/km_pMPuBcFc
1. Investigation to show that a plant needs light to photosynthesis
Procedure: (Method/Plan)
1. Take the potted plant and keep it in a dark place for 2-3 days so that the leaves get
destarched.
2. Cover a part of one of its leaves with the black card. Make sure that fixed with two paper
clips on cover both the sides of the leaf.
3. Now place this plant in sunlight for 3- 4 hours.
4. Pluck the selected covered leaf and remove the black card covering it.
5. Place this leaf in the beaker containing water and boil it for about 5 minutes.
6. Take out the leaf and now boil it in alcohol, using the water bath, for 5 minutes. This
removes the chlorophyll.
7. Take out the leaf and wash it with boiling/running water.
8. Place this leaf in the Petridish and put a few drops of iodine solution on it and observe
the change in colour.
3.
• Plants use light to make photosynthesis.
• The presence of starch shows the plant carried out photosynthesis.
• We need to put the plant in the dark for remove pre-existing starch in the leaves.
• The plant will use up all the starch that stored in the leaves.
• Then we can test with iodine solution the presence of starch.
• So, light and darkness is important to show that plant carried out photosynthesis.
Chlorophyll, chloroplasts and plant cells

Chloroplast and plant cells

• Chloroplasts contain chlorophyll
• Not all plant cells contain chloroplasts
• Number of chloroplasts depends on the position of the cells in the leaf
• Near the top surface of the leaf contains most chloroplast that photosynthesis take place
A reaction that needs energy
• Photosynthesis takes a lot of energy
• Most chemical reactions produce more energy than they take in ( Exothermic reactions)
• Photosynthesis takes in more energy than it produces (Endothermic reaction)

Exothermic reaction Endothermic reaction

- Making of an Ice Cube. - Photosynthesis
- Snow Formation in Clouds. - Evaporating liquids
- Burning of a Candle. - Melting ice
- Rusting of Iron. - Alkane cracking
- Burning of Sugar. - Thermal decomposition
- Ammonium chloride in water
Looking for chloroplasts (Onion cells)
Requirements
• Onion
• Blade/knife
• Slide and cover slip
• Mounted needle or pencil
Method
• Take a piece of onion and remove a small piece of very thin epidermis using forceps
• Put on microscope slide and add a drop of water
• Use mounted needle/sharp pencil to put a coverslip over the onion slide
• Take care not to trap air bubbles (black ringed circles)
• Remove any excess water by paper towel/tissue
• Look at the cells under microscope

https://youtu.be/dxv4M4HHUgs https://youtu.be/quygiQgJ7b8
Looking for chloroplasts (Pondweed cells)
Requirements
• Pondweed
• Forceps
• Slide and cover slip
• Mounted needle or pencil
Method
• Take a single leaf from a piece of pondweed and cut a very tiny section (2mm2)
• Put on microscope slide and add a drop of water
• Use mounted needle/sharp pencil to put a coverslip over the pondweed slide
• Take care not to trap air bubbles (black ringed circles)
• Remove any excess water by paper towel/tissue
• Look at the cells under microscope

https://youtu.be/UWbGZMO4o_U
Onion cell
 Cell membrane

Pondweed cell (Elodea)

 Cell wall

Cytoplasm

Cell membrane
Chloroplast

Pondweed cell (Elodea)

Stomata and the movement of gases
 Leaf adaptations for photosynthesis
• The surface of the leaf is covered with a protective layer of wax.
• Stops the losing water and gases moving in and out of the leaf.
• Stomata in the epidermis of the leaf can open and close to change the amount of gases
moving in and out.
• The air spaces in the spongy layer can move the gases into and out easily by diffusion.
• It also allows the gases to diffuse through the leaf to all the cells.
• The cells make more oxygen and use up in respiration.
• The extra oxygen moves out by diffusion.
Stomatal Peel Leaf epidermal peel Preparation

https://youtu.be/iOjJUHmBgmU

https://youtu.be/Ghxd0p93hag
Factors affecting photosynthesis
Arctic tundra and Tropical rainforest
• The tundra's climate is very cold while the forest is warmer.
• The tundra receives little sunlight whereas the forest receive direct and constant sunlight.
• The tropical rainforest is characterized by its high species richness and diverse habitats.
• The arctic tundra has a lower species richness and fewer available habitats due to its
extreme climate and limited resources.
Measuring the rate of photosynthesis
Carry out an investigation
• Collect data as reliable as possible
• repeat the experiment by using same method (repeatable)
• Plan the method and record it clearly (evidence is reproducible)
• It is very important that any data collect during investigation
• Need to make sure that control as many variables as possible ( dependent, independent
and constant)
• Set out to measure reasonably accurately and that only one variable change
(independent variable)
• All these factors are important in a scientific investigation
Investigation into factors affecting photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/CEYr0hyxEzw

Photosynthesis practical-Leaving Cert-Light Intensity

https://youtu.be/cmwOFn67Jqg

Investigate the effect of light intensity on rate of photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/w6FiSi3fASw
Investigate the effect of temperature on rate of photosynthesis

https://youtu.be/MZTwiM8SM4A
1. Because land plant cannot collect oxygen but water plant can collect by bubbles
in the test tube.

2. Investigation procedure for light/ temperature by (water plants) Elodea

1. ----
2. ----

3. Carbon dioxide.
https://youtu.be/RRGY61Ewb8E
Limiting factors in photosynthesis
Limiting factors
• Light
• Temperature
• Carbon dioxide
Light
• Brighter the light, faster the rate of photosynthesis
Temperature
• Affect all chemical reactions
• As the temperature rises, the rate of photosynthesis increases
• If the temperature gets too high, enzymes will denature (stop working)
• Photosynthesis will stop completely
Carbon dioxide
• The air only contain 0.04 % carbon dioxide
• On a sunny day the level of carbon dioxide available is the main limiting factor
Greenhouse
• A greenhouse is a building made of glass or plastic
• Can control the conditions (light, temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide)
the plants grow as fast as possible
What are the advantages of greenhouse?
The main benefits of a greenhouse are:
•Good distribution of light inside the greenhouse. ...
•Energy efficiency. ...
•Control of microclimate. ...
•Protection against diseases, pests and other vermin. ...
•Excellent ventilation. ...
•Optimum sealing against rain and air.
•Increased production. ...
•Production off-season.
Miyazaki, Japan
Plant and water
• Plant need water for
- Photosynthesis (make glucose)
- To keep the cell firm (support the stem and leaves)

Testing for Carbon Dioxide being absorbed by plants in Photosynthesis using Radioactive
Carbon 14

https://youtu.be/bpBJ_Y1bH40
Too little water
• Some plants have adaptations to survive
by little water
• They may have-
- Very deep or very wide spreading roots
- Very thick protective outer layer
- Store water in their tissues when it rains
Irrigation
• Can grow crops in dry area
• Water may be carried in ditches or by pipes and pumps
• Vital to farming in many parts of the world
Too much water
• Plant roots get water from the soil, but they
also need air for the cells to respire
• If the ground is flooded:
- Become waterlogged
- No air in soil
- Roots die and rot
- Whole plant will die
• Big effect financially
• lead to a great lack of food
• Some plants are adapted to waterlogged condition
• Example- Mangrove plants
• Special aerial roots in the air as well
• Can get oxygen to respire
Mineral nutrition in plants
• Plant need minerals in solution in the soil water
• Take up by their roots
• Plants use energy to move the minerals salts
• Transported by xylem to all over the plant
The essential minerals
• Chlorophyll contains lots of different elements including magnesium (Mg)
• Plants must have nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) to make chemical
• Take in the form of salts, potassium nitrate (KNO3) and potassium dihydrogen phosphate
(KH2PO4)
• Absorbed as soluble ions
Deficiency disease in plants
• Cause problems in the growth of the plants and the symptoms can be seen in different
ways
• If plants are deficient in these mineral salts, they will not grow very well
• Eventually they will die
Deficiency of magnesium

Magnesium - the chlorophyll molecule in plant tissue - shortage of chlorophyll

- helps to activate specific enzyme - poor and stunted plant
growth.
Managing plant growth
Fertilizers
• Replace the minerals taken from the soil by using fertilisers
• Substances rich in minerals
• Natural fertilisers ( animal manure or chemical fertilisers)
• Fertilisers helps crop plants grow as well
In green house
• All conditions are controlled by sensors and computer system
• Carbon dioxide levels and light levels
• ideal temperature is maintained
• Artificial light is used
• Photosynthesis for longer
Plants without soil
Hydroponics
• Some farmers grow plants such as salad vegetables in green house with no soil at all
• Give the plants plenty of water containing all the minerals salts
• Grow very fast and very clean (no soil in their roots)
Aeroponics
• a method of growing plants without soil.
• roots are suspended in the air and irrigated
with a nutrient-dense mist.