Photosynthesis
- Created by: GeorgiaJackson
- Created on: 08-11-14 16:13
carbon dioxide equation
describe photosynthesis
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light energy is converted into chemical energy
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large organic molecules are made from inorganic substances
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provides chemical energy for consumers and decomposers
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provides oxygen for respiration
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occurs in chloroplasts inside the leaves of photosynthesis
define autotrophs and heterotrophs
Autotrophs
Organisms that use light energy or chemical energy and inorganic molecules (carbon dioxide and water) to synthesise complex organic molecules
Heterotrophs
Organisms that indigest and digest complex organic molecules, releasing the chemical potential energy stored in them
compare autotrophs and heterotrophs
Autotrophs
Heterotrophs
Do they respire
yes
no
Can they synthesise complex organic molecules from simple inorganic molecules
yes
no
Do they use light energy
yes
no
Can they hydrolyse complex organic molecules
yes
yes
examples
Plants/algae
Animals/fungi
which evolved first respiration or photosynthesis
Organisms that used respiration first developed when oxygen in the atmosphere first appeared after being released from photosynthesis. The endocrine theory suggests the photosynthetic bacteria were acquired possibly by endocytosis by early eukaryotic cells, to form the first algal or plant cells.
describe a chloroplast
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2-10
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surrounded by a double membrane
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outer membrane is permeable to many ions
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inner membrane Is less permeable . Is folded into lamalle. Each stack of a lamelle= a granum
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inter membrane space is 10-20 mm
Stroma- fluid filled matrix. Where the light independent rections take place
Grana- flattened sacs called thylakoids. The site of light absorption and ATP synthesis during light dependant reactions
describe photosynthetic pigments
Are molecules that absorb light energy. Each pigment absorbs a range of wavelengths in the visible region and has its own distinct peak of absorption. Other wave length are reflected.
They appear as the colour they are reflecting.
They are held in the thylakoid membrane arranged in funnel shaped structures called photo-stems
describe primary pigment reaction centre
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P680+ P700= 2 forms of chlorophyll
Both absorb red light and appear yellow and green
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P680- in photo stems II- peak absorption 680nm
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P700- in photo-stems I- peak absorption 700nm
Both also absorb blue light (450nm)
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Chlorophyll b absorbs light at 500nm and 640nm and appears blue-green
what do all chlorophyll have
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phytol (hydrocarbon tail)
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prophyrin group- similar to what haem has
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magnesium atom instead of iron
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light energy excites a pair of electrons associated with magnesium
describe the function of the chloroplast
Inner membrane with transport proteins
Control entry and exit of substances between the cytoplasm and stroma inside the chloroplasts
Many grana
Provide a large surface area for photosynthetic pigments, electron carriers and ATP synthase enzymes all in which are involved in the light dependant reaction
Photosynthetic pigments arranged in photo-stems
Allow maximum absorption of light energy
Proteins embedded in the grana
Hold photostems in place
Fluid filled stroma
Contain enzymes needed to catalyse the reactions of the light independent stage of photosynthesis
describe the caratanoids
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Caratenoids absorb blue light- carotene is orange and xanthophyll is yellow
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not directly involved in the light dependant reaction
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absorb wavelengths that are poorly absorbed by chlorophylls and pass the light energy to chlorophyll a
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