Plant Nutrition

What you will learn

understand photosynthesis.
state the equation (in words or symbols).
investigate and state the effect of varying light
intensity, CO2 concentration and temp on rate of
photosynthesis.
describe the intake of CO2 and water by plants.
understand that chlorophyll traps light and
converts it to chemical energy.
explain why most forms of life are completely
dependent on photosynthesis.

Modes of Nutrition

Autotrophs
Are organisms that can synthesise their
organic materials from inorganic materials in
the environment.
Produce organic food from inorganic
compounds and are called producers.

gracilaria
green alga

brown alga

Modes of Nutrition

Heterotrophs

Are organisms that must obtain carbon and all

energy from organic molecules that have
already been produced by autotrophs.

eagle catching fish

butterfly feeding on
nectar from flower

Photosynthesis
It is a process whereby cells containing
chlorophyll convert light energy to chemical
energy and synthesise organic compounds from
inorganic compounds, specifically glucose from
carbon dioxide and water, accompanied by the
simultaneous release of oxygen.

6CO2 + 12H2O

light energy

carbon dioxide + water

chlorophyll

C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

light energy
chlorophyll

glucose + oxygen + water

The Role of Chlorophyll in Photosynthesis

Each chloroplasts contains hundreds of
chlorophyll molecules and other pigments
arranged into light-collecting units.
Inside the chloroplasts, solar energy is captured
and converted into chemical energy.
green

Leaf appears
green
because
green light is
reflected from
its surface.

The Role of Chlorophyll in Photosynthesis

chloroplast

palisade cell
containing
chloroplast

disc-shaped sacs of
membrane are packed
with chlorophyll
molecules

Chloroplast is the organelle of

photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is involved in two stages:
Light Reaction:
occurs at layers of chlorophyll.
sunlight splits water molecules (photolysis of water) to produce
hydrogen ions (H+), as well as oxygen gas and energy.
This reaction converts light energy to the chemical energy, ATP.
Light-Independent Reaction (Dark Reaction):
occurs in the chloroplast away from chlorophyll.
can process with or without light
In this reaction, hydrogen ions (H+), carbon dioxide and energy
combine to produce sugar.

Experiments
Left in sunlight
for 2 hours;
then tested for
starch

destarched
leaf

black
paper

blue-black
colouration with
iodine

To show that light is needed to make starch.

Experiments
polythene
bags

destarched
plants

soda lime
absorbs carbon
dioxide from air

saturated sodium
hydrogen
carbonate gives
out carbon dioxide
starch in
leaf

Set X

Set Y

no
starch
in leaf

To show that carbon dioxide is needed to make starch.

Experiments
non-green parts
of leaf
green parts of
leaf

Left in sunlight for

2 hours; then
tested for starch

variegated leaf of
Coleus which was
destarched

blue-black
colouration with
iodine

To show that chlorophyll is needed to make starch.

Rate of Photosynthesis
As oxygen is a product of photosynthesis, the rate of
oxygen bubbles produced by Elodea is an indication
of the rate of photosynthesis.
gas
light source

pond
water
Elodea
plasticine
for support

Collection of oxygen gas.

Rate of Photosynthesis
The volume of oxygen produced per minute by
Elodea can also be used to measure the rate of
photosynthesis.
light
source

Elodea
plasticine
for support

To measure the rate of photosynthesis.

Factors affecting Rate of

Photosynthesis
Light
In

tensit

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Water
ity
l
i
b
a
l
i
ava

per
Tem re
atu

f
o
on e
i
t
a id
r
t
n iox
e
c
D
n
o
n
C rbo
Ca

Factor: Light Intensity

As light intensity increases,
the rate of the lightdependent reaction, and
therefore photosynthesis
generally, increases
proportionately (A to B on
graph: light is limiting
factor).
As light intensity is
increased however, the rate
of photosynthesis is
eventually limited by some
other factor (B to C on
graph).

Factor: Carbon Dioxide

Concentration
An increase in the carbon
dioxide concentration increases
the rate at which carbon is
incorporated into carbohydrate
in the light-independent
reaction so the rate of
photosynthesis generally
increases until limited by another
factor.
This is usually the limiting factor
as there is only 0.03% of CO2 in
the atmosphere.

Factor: Temperature
Photosynthesis is dependent
on temperature. It is a reaction
catalysed by enzymes.
C

Below the optimum

temperature of the enzymes,
the rate is low (A to B).
As the enzymes approach
their optimum temperatures
the overall rate increases (B
to C).
Above the optimum
temperature the rate begins to
decrease until it stops (C to
D).

B
A

Combined Factors

Glucose
Respiration to provide energy for cellular
activities.
Make cellulose cell wall.
Excess converted to sucrose/starch to be stored.
- sugarcane stored as sucrose
- potato stored as starch
Form amino acids used to make new proteins
for new protoplasm.

Glucose
Excess amino acid is stored as protein.
Formation of fats for:
- storage
- cellular respiration
- form cell surface membrane
Glucose produced is usually faster than used in
respiration so it is stored as starch. At night,
when there is no glucose produced, starch is
converted to glucose for energy.

Glucose
Starch, proteins and fats are derived from
glucose.
They are the insoluble, complex,
indiffusible storage forms of the simple,
soluble and diffusible forms.
They are the result of excess.

Glucose
When needed, enzymes used to convert them
back:
Starch
maltose
glucose
diastase
maltase
(Glucose is transported as sucrose to prevent
immediate usage)
Proteins polypeptides amino acids
pepsin
erepsin
fats
fatty acid and glycerol
lipase

Importance of Photosynthesis

Carbohydrates are formed.

Indirectly, fats, proteins and other organic compound are

formed which eventually becomes the source of food for
animals above it in the food web.
Animals feeding on it indirectly get energy that plants
obtain from sunlight.
Coal (fossil fuel) contains energy derived from sunlight.
Burning of coal sets this energy free for other purposes
e.g. cooking.
Purify the air by removing CO2 and producing O2

Leaf Structure

guard
cells

vein

lower
epidermis

mesophyll

upper
epidermis

This transverse section of a dicotyledonous leaf shows three

different groups of tissues: the epidermis, the mesophyll and
the vascular tissue

ADAPTATIONS OF THE
LEAVE
A. To facilitate absorption of light
B. To facilitate gaseous exchange
C. To facilitate transport of food
substances, water and mineral salts

To facilitate absorption of light

1. Each leave is supported by stem and petiole
the thin leaves are prevented from dropping by the veins which
serve as a kind of skeleton holding the leaf out flat.

2. Leaves are arranged to prevent overlapping

(mosaic arrangement of leaves)

3. Large S.A.
Lamina is flat and broad, sometimes large, usually numerous

To facilitate absorption of light

4. Some plants change orientation of
their leaves towards the sun solar
tracking
most of these plants have a pulvinus a swollen
part of the petiole which contains special cells
which vary their turgidity to control the petiole and
leaf direction.

Eg soya bean

To facilitate absorption of light

5. Leaves are thin
usually less than 1 mm thick so that
light can each every mesophyll cell

6. Epidermis is colourless
no pigments

7. Waxy cuticle that functions to

reduce transpirational losses
is clear and transparent

To facilitate absorption of light

8.Presence of chloroplasts
in the mesophyll layer
9.Distribution of chloroplasts
palisade cells contains more
chloroplasts
within the palisade cells,
chloroplasts clustered on the upper
side

To facilitate absorption of light

10. Orientation of chloroplasts under
different light intensities
chloroplasts are aligned and distributed
perpendicular to the light when light levels are low

To facilitate absorption of light

11. Palisade cells closely packed and
arranged end-on
minimises no. of cell walls light has to pass
through

To facilitate gaseous exchange

1.Thin
reduces distance through which carbon dioxide
needs to diffuse after entering the leaves

2.Leaves has pores - stomata

usually more in the lower surface
opens in the day, closes at night
to conserve water

To facilitate gaseous exchange

3.Interconnecting systems of air spaces
in spongy mesophyll layer
=> facilitating
diffusion of carbon
dioxide in the
mesophyll cells

To facilitate gaseous exchange

Exit of oxygen gas
- oxygen gas produced
- when concentration of oxygen gas within the
air-spaces rises to above that of the
atmospheric air, oxygen diffuses out of the
leaves through the stomata

Opening and closing of stomata

In the light, influx of K+ ions
lowers water potential of cell sap
water enters the guards cells by osmosis
from neighbouring epidermal cells
increased turgour, causes cell to bend
in the dark, the reverse occurs

To facilitate transport of water,

food substances and mineral salts
1.Transport of water (and minerals salts)
xylem vessels bring water to the leaves within short
distance of every mesophyll cell

2.Transport of food produced

phloem tubes come within short distance of every
mesophyll cell
reduces distance travelled, increases time of diffusion