Topic 2.9 Worksheet (Answers)

2.
9 Photosynthesis
Light Absorption
Define photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which cells use light energy to synthesise organic compounds from
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inorganic molecules
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Identify the range of wavelengths absorbed via photosynthesis

Photosynthesis uses the visible spectrum (white light), which ranges from 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red)
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State the main photosynthetic pigment in plants and identify where they are found
Chlorophyll (a) is the main photosynthetic pigment and it is found in chloroplasts in plants
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Outline the difference in absorption of red, green and blue light by plants
Plants predominantly absorb red and blue light, but reflect green light
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Draw the action spectrum and absorption spectrum and provide a comparison between the two
Action Spectrum Absorption Spectrum

Amount of light absorbed
Rate of Photosynthesis
400 nm 700 nm 400 nm 700 nm
The range of wavelengths used by a plant for photosynthesis

Action Spectrum: ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
(red and blue is used for a high photosynthetic rate, green is not used)
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The range of wavelengths absorbed by a plant (each pigment has its own spectrum)
Absorption Spectrum: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
(for chlorophyll a: red and blue are absorbed, green is reflected)
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Photosynthetic Action
Complete the following diagram outlining the key components of photosynthesis
LIGHT DEPENDENT
REACTIONS Light energy
Water Chlorophyll Chemical energy
e–
Oxygen gas Hydrogen NADPH ATP
Carbon dioxide gas Carbon fixation
LIGHT INDEPENDENT Carbon compounds

REACTIONS
Summarise the key events of the two stages of photosynthesis
Light Dependent Reactions:

Light is absorbed by chlorophyll, which triggers the production of ATP (via photophosphorylation)
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Light is also responsible for the photolysis of water, which produces hydrogen (carried by NADPH)
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The photolysis of water also produces oxygen gas as a by-product
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Light Independent Reactions:
The products of the light dependent reaction (NADPH and ATP) are used in the light independent reactions
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These reactions fix carbon (from carbon dioxide) to form organic molecules (such as carbohydrates)
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Outline how photosynthetic pigments can be separated via chromatography

Pigments are dissolved in a fluid (mobile phase)
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Fluid is then passed through a static material (stationary phase)
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Different pigments pass through the static material at different speeds, becoming separated
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A retardation factor (Rf) can be assigned to each pigment (to allow for identification)
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Measuring Photosynthesis
Outline the law of limiting factors

A reaction will only proceed as fast as the component nearest its minimum value (rate-limiting factor)
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List three conditions by which photosynthesis can be detected and suggest how they can be measured
Oxygen uptake - measure by pressure change (data logger) or displacement of syringe cap
1. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
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Carbon dioxide production - measure by a change in pH if plant is in solution
2. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
(carbon dioxide dissolves in water to form carbonic acid = decreases pH)
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Change in biomass - measure by a change in weight
3. …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...
(plant sample must first be dessicated to account for change in mass due to water)
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Explain the effect of different factors on the rate of photosynthesis

Temperature Light Intensity CO2 Concentration
Temperature affects enzyme activity (photosynthesis controlled by enzymes)

Temperature: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Activity initially increases as a rise in kinetic energy results in more frequent collisions
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Above a certain temperature, activity decreases as enzymes become denatured
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Increasing light levels results in more photoactivation of chlorophyll (= increased activity)

Light Intensity: ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
At a certain intensity, all chlorophyll are photoactivated and so activity plateaus

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(i.e. plant is saturated with light)

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Carbon dioxide is fixed (via the enzyme Rubisco) to form organic compounds
CO2 Concentration: ……….…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Activity increases at higher concentrations as there are more frequent collisions

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Above a certain level activity will plateau as all enzyme active sites are occupied
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Topic 2.9 Worksheet (Answers)

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2.

Identify the range of wavelengths absorbed via photosynthesis

Action Spectrum Absorption Spectrum

400 nm 700 nm 400 nm 700 nm

The range of wavelengths used by a plant for photosynthesis

Complete the following diagram outlining the key components of photosynthesis

Water Chlorophyll Chemical energy

Oxygen gas Hydrogen NADPH ATP

Carbon dioxide gas Carbon fixation

LIGHT INDEPENDENT Carbon compounds

Summarise the key events of the two stages of photosynthesis

Light Dependent Reactions:

Light Independent Reactions:

Outline how photosynthetic pigments can be separated via chromatography

Outline the law of limiting factors

Explain the effect of different factors on the rate of photosynthesis

Temperature Light Intensity CO2 Concentration

Temperature affects enzyme activity (photosynthesis controlled by enzymes)

Increasing light levels results in more photoactivation of chlorophyll (= increased activity)

At a certain intensity, all chlorophyll are photoactivated and so activity plateaus

(i.e. plant is saturated with light)

Activity increases at higher concentrations as there are more frequent collisions

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