2.

17 Photosynthesis and plant nutrition

Photosynthesis is the fundamental process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw
materials using energy from light.

The complex food molecules that plants make through photosynthesis:

Glucose (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)

Starch (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)
Amino acids, proteins (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen)
Nucleic acid (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus)
Lipids (carbon, hydrogen, oxygen)

To check if photosynthesis has taken place, check the presence of starch, by adding iodine, which will
turn blue-black in the presence of starch. Or by measuring the amount of oxygen given out.
Limiting factor is something present in the environment in such short supply that is restrict life
processes.
Chlorophyll traps light energy and converts it to chemical energy for the formation for carbohydrates
and their subsequent storage.
How to investigate the necessity for chlorophyll:

Leaf boiled in water for 2 mins to break cell walls, denature enzymes, allow easier penetration
by ethanol
Warm leaf in ethanol until colourless to extract chlorophyll, which could mask observation
Dip leaf in water to soften
Place leaf on white tile, add iodine
Blue black starch present
Orange brown starch absent

How to investigate the necessity for light and chlorophyll:

Destarch plant by placing in dark cupboard for 2 days
Clip black paper on both sides of leaf.a to make a strip
Make airtight bag around leaf.b containing soda lime
Make airtight bag around leaf.c with hydrogencarbonate solution
Boil leaf in water for 2 mins denature enzymes, break cell walls, easier penetration by ethanol
Warm leaf in ethanol until colourless
Dip in water to soften
Place on white tile, add iodine

Hydrogen carbonate provide carbon dioxide

Soda lime, caustic soda, NaOH absorbs carbon dioxide
Another method to investigate the necessity of carbon dioxide:

Take 2 plotted plants

Apply petroleum jell on two glass sheets
On one sheet, along with plant place burning candle
In the other place a dish containing caustic soda
Cover both with bell jars
Leave undisturbed for few hours
Test for iodine on leaves

Greenhouse or glass house systems:

Paraffin is burnt to increase carbon dioxide concentration

Optimum temperature: thermostatically controlled heaters to make temperature right for enzymes
to work
Optimum light: high intensity and correct wavelengths, and duration

Distribution of chloroplasts: helps in photosynthesis

Stomata and mesophyll cells: gas exchange
Vascular bundles (xylem, phloem): transport and support

Nitrate ions are used for protein synthesis. Magnesium ions are used for chlorophyll synthesis.
Nitrogen fertilisers:

They provide nitrogen in the form of nitrate ions

Nitrite ion
Ammonium ions
But using fertilisers can lead to eutrophication, which is when the fertiliser is transported by rain
and leeches into stagnant water.