Tutorial 8 T

Bio1102
Tutorial 8
Photosynthesis
What is it?
Photosynthesis is the process by which water reacts with carbon dioxide to produce glucose and
oxygen.
How does it occur?
This process occurs in 2 stages: light and dark.
In the light stage, this is where the chlorophyll found in the chloroplast captures sunlight and
splits the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
In the dark stage, the hydrogen molecules combine with carbon dioxide molecules to produce
glucose, and oxygen is released.
Importance
Photosynthesis provides energy for most ecosystems and it is responsible for the production of
oxygen for all living organisms.

Respiration
This is the process by which plants use oxygen to break down glucose to produce energy in the
form of ATP.
Process
When plants produce glucose from photosynthesis, the glucose travels through the phloem
vessels to different parts of the plant. When the various parts require energy, the plant uses
oxygen to break down the glucose, which then releases carbon dioxide and water which is stored
as energy in the form of ATP.
Note
The rate of photosynthesis is equal to the rate of respiration.
Importance
Respiration in plants is important because it produces the energy that is needed for the plants to
stay active and alive.
There are 2 types of respiration: aerobic and anaerobic
Plants respire aerobically in the mitochondria.

Transpiration
This is the process by which plants lose water through their leaves or other aerial parts of the
plant through evaporation.
Process
1. Water is absorbed by the roots
2. Water travels up the plant through the xylem vessels
3. Water vapor is lost through the pores of leaves
What can affect transpiration?
Light- the absence of light will cause the stomata to close, therefore decreasing the rate of
transpiration
Water availability- the amount of water absorbed by the roots of the plant is inversely
proportional to the rate of transpiration
Leaf surface area- a larger surface area will be equal to an increase in transpiration.
Importance of transpiration
This process helps to get rid of excess water, therefore maintaining a balance of water within the
plants
Through transpiration, water and other minerals are transported throughout the plant.
It helps to keep the plant cool- when water vapor exits the stomata, heat is removed from the air,
hence creating a cooling effect.
Biochemical cycles refer to pathways or sequences of chemical reactions that occur repeatedly and are
essential for the flow and recycling of substances within biological systems. These cycles are
fundamental to sustaining life, regulating the environment, and maintaining the balance of elements
and compounds. Here are some key biochemical cycles:
Major Biochemical Cycles:
1. The Carbon Cycle:
 Involves the movement of carbon through the biosphere.
 Includes processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and
combustion.
 Carbon is exchanged among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and living organisms.
2. The Nitrogen Cycle:
 Focuses on the circulation and transformation of nitrogen in various forms
(nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, nitrogen gas, etc.).
 Includes processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation,
ammonification, and denitrification.
 Crucial for the synthesis of proteins and nucleic acids in living organisms.
3. The Water Cycle (Hydrological Cycle):
 Involves the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface,
atmosphere, and back again.
 Includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and
transpiration.
 Essential for maintaining water availability for living organisms and ecosystems.
4. The Phosphorus Cycle:
 Focuses on the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere,
and biosphere.
 Involves geological processes, weathering of rocks, sedimentation, and biological
processes in which phosphorus is used in the formation of DNA, RNA, and ATP.
5. The Sulfur Cycle:
 Concerned with the movement of sulfur in various forms (sulfate, sulfide,
elemental sulfur) within ecosystems.
 Includes processes like weathering of rocks, volcanic emissions, bacterial
reduction, and assimilation by plants and microorganisms.
 Sulfur is an essential element in amino acids, vitamins, and other biomolecules.
Key Aspects and Importance:
 Biogeochemical Cycling: Biochemical cycles involve interactions between biological,
geological, and chemical processes, illustrating the interconnectedness of Earth's systems.

 Nutrient Recycling: These cycles ensure the recycling and availability of essential
elements (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, etc.) necessary for the growth and survival of
organisms.
 Environmental Balance: The cycles help regulate the composition of the atmosphere,
soil, and water bodies, maintaining ecological balance and sustainability.
 Human Impact: Human activities, such as deforestation, industrialization, and
agriculture, can disrupt these cycles, leading to environmental issues like pollution,
nutrient imbalances, and climate change.
Complexity and Interconnectedness:
Biochemical cycles are interconnected and interdependent. For instance, the carbon cycle
influences the availability of carbon, which, in turn, affects other cycles like the nitrogen cycle
by influencing microbial activity. Any disruption or imbalance in one cycle can have cascading
effects on others and the overall ecosystem.
Understanding these cycles is crucial for environmental scientists, ecologists, biologists, and
policymakers to manage and conserve ecosystems, address environmental challenges, and
maintain a sustainable planet.

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Bio1102

How does it occur?

This process occurs in 2 stages: light and dark.

splits the water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

glucose, and oxygen is released.

oxygen for all living organisms.

as energy in the form of ATP.

The rate of photosynthesis is equal to the rate of respiration.

stay active and alive.

There are 2 types of respiration: aerobic and anaerobic

Plants respire aerobically in the mitochondria.

plant through evaporation.

1. Water is absorbed by the roots

2. Water travels up the plant through the xylem vessels

3. Water vapor is lost through the pores of leaves

What can affect transpiration?

proportional to the rate of transpiration

hence creating a cooling effect.

and compounds. Here are some key biochemical cycles:

Major Biochemical Cycles:

1. The Carbon Cycle:

 Involves the movement of carbon through the biosphere.

 Includes processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, decomposition, and

2. The Nitrogen Cycle:

 Focuses on the circulation and transformation of nitrogen in various forms

(nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, nitrogen gas, etc.).

 Includes processes like nitrogen fixation, nitrification, assimilation,

ammonification, and denitrification.

 Involves the continuous movement of water between the Earth's surface,

atmosphere, and back again.

 Includes processes such as evaporation, condensation, precipitation, runoff, and

4. The Phosphorus Cycle:

 Focuses on the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, hydrosphere,

 Involves geological processes, weathering of rocks, sedimentation, and biological

5. The Sulfur Cycle:

 Concerned with the movement of sulfur in various forms (sulfate, sulfide,

elemental sulfur) within ecosystems.

 Includes processes like weathering of rocks, volcanic emissions, bacterial

reduction, and assimilation by plants and microorganisms.

 Sulfur is an essential element in amino acids, vitamins, and other biomolecules.

Key Aspects and Importance:

 Biogeochemical Cycling: Biochemical cycles involve interactions between biological,

geological, and chemical processes, illustrating the interconnectedness of Earth's systems.

soil, and water bodies, maintaining ecological balance and sustainability.

 Human Impact: Human activities, such as deforestation, industrialization, and

nutrient imbalances, and climate change.

Complexity and Interconnectedness:

effects on others and the overall ecosystem.

policymakers to manage and conserve ecosystems, address environmental challenges, and

maintain a sustainable planet.

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