Photosynthesis is the
chemical reaction that occurs
in plants to enable them to
produce glucose in the
presence of sunlight
Light Energy -
Chemical Energy
Carbon Dioxide +
Water -> Glucose +
Oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O ->C6H12O6 + 6O2
There are three variables that
affect the rate of
photosynthesis
Amount of Carbon Dioxide
Light intensity
Temperature
Structure of the leaf
- From top to bottom
of the leaf
1.The epidermis is thin and
transparent, so allows light to
reach the palisade cells
2. Waxy Cutical protects the leaf
without blocking out the light
3. The palisade cell
absorbs the light
4. The spongy layer
allows CO2 to diffuse
through and also
provides a large
surface area
5. The palisade cells contain Chloroplasts
which are the part of the cell which absorbs
the light
4 Minerals are needed by plants
Magnesium
In chloroplasts - needed for chlorophyll
Leaves turn yellow
when not enough is
present
Phosphate
Used in respiration and growth
key part in DNA
Discoloured
leaves show not
enough is present
Potassium
Used in respiration and photosynthesis
Poor flower or fruit
yield shows not
enough is present
Nitrates
needed for amnio acids
Yellow leaves
means a lack of it
Starch test
Soften leaf in boiling water for 1
min, place leaf in tube of ethanol,
after 5 mins take it out and rinse
in HOT water, spread leaf out and
cover lightly with an iodine
solution. See what colour it is