Chapter 6.

Plant Nutrition

1. Leaf Structure and Function

Green plant need sunlight, carbon dioxide, chlorophyll, water and a suitable temperature to carry out
photosynthesis
The light energy required for photosynthesis is absorbed by a chlorophyll, a green pigment in the leaves
Complex organic molecules (food) and oxygen are produced during photosynthesis
The leaf is made up of lamina, the petiole and a network of veins
The leaf is an organ, with external and internal parts that are adapted for the process of photosynthesis

2. Roles of guard cells

Guard cells vary their curvature to control the opening of the stoma through the manipulation of
internal osmotic pressures and changes in turgidity

3. Movement of Substances into and out of a leaf

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide enters the leaves due to a concentration gradient set up when
carbon dioxide is consumed
The xylem transports water and mineral salts from the roots to the leaves
The phloem transports sugars produced in the leaves to the other parts of the plant

4. Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis involves two stages light-dependent stage and light-independent stage
The overall equation for photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 12 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O
The volume of oxygen produced per unit of time can be used to measure the rate of photosynthesis

5. Fates of Glucose
Glucose formed during photosynthesis I used immediately for cellular respiration and for the synthesis
of cellulose to form the cell walls
Excess glucose is converted into starch and sucrose
Glucose can also react with nitrates and other mineral salts to form amino acids, which are used to make
proteins or to synthesis new protoplasm
Glucose can also be converted into fats for the synthesis of new protoplasm and for storage

6. Limiting factors of photosynthesis

The rate of photosynthesis is affected by light intensity, temperature and carbon dioxide concentration
At a constant temperature and carbon dioxide concentration, the rate of photosynthesis initially
increases with increasing light intensity
At normal atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration (0.03%), temperature is not a crucial limiting factor
when there is sufficient light. It only becomes a limiting factor at sufficiently high carbon dioxide
concentrations
At a constant temperature and sufficient light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration is a crucial limiting
factor