Photosynthesis

- photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction

- during photosyntheis energy is transferred from the environment to the chloroplast by light, it is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugar (glucose), oxygen is also formed and released as a by-product

- photosynthesis can be summarised as follows:

    carbon dioxide + water ---> glucose + oxygen

- leaves are well adapted to allow the maximum amount of photosynthesis to take place

- the rate of photosynthesis may be affected by:

    light intensity

    temperature

    level of carbon dioxide 

    amount of chlorophyll

- plant and algal cells use the glucose produced during photsynthesis for respiration

    to convert into insoluable starch for storage

    to produce fats or oils for storage

    to produce cellulose to strengthen cell walls

    to produce amino acids for protein synthesis

- plants and algal cells also need nitrate ions absorbed from the soil or water to make the amino acids used to make proteins

- the factors that limit the rate of photosynthesis interact and any one of them may limit photosynthesis

- limiting factors are important in the economics of enhancing the conditions in greenhouses to gain the maximum rate of photosynthesis while still maintaining profit