Plant Nutrition

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PLANT NUTRITION.

Photosynthesis .

 Photo- light.
 Synthesis – manufacturing.

Photosynthesis- is the process by which plants manufacture

carbohydrates from raw materials using light energy.

 Plants are autotrophic, they make their own carbohydrates


using carbon dioxide and water as raw materials.
 Chlorophyll in the chloroplast absorb light energy from the sun and convert
it to chemical energy( ATP) used during photosynthesis.
The word equation of photosynthesis.

Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen,

in the presence of light and chlorophyll.

 Water and carbon dioxide are the raw materials and glucose and oxygen are

the products.

The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis.

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SAMPLE QUESTION

F/M 17 P32 Q6 (a) (i) State the word equation for photosynthesis. [2]
(ii) A plant needs chlorophyll to photosynthesise.
Name the part of a plant cell that contains chlorophyll. [1]
(iii) State two types of specialised cell that contain chlorophyll. [2]
N11 P43 Q3 (b) (i) Name the sugar that is transported in the phloem. [1]
(ii) Name the insoluble carbohydrate that is stored in plants . [1]
(c) Describe a food test you could carry out to show where the insoluble carbohydrate
named in (b)(ii) is found in a root [2]

EXPERIMENTS TO INVESTIGATE PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

 During photosynthesis glucose is converted to sucrose so that it is


translocated by the phloem and is also converted to starch for storage.
 When carrying out an experiment only one variable is altered /changed
(independent variable) and other variables are kept constant (
standardized variables).
 To make sure that the results are due to the changed variable a control set
up is needed.
 A control is done to show that the factor under test is responsible for the
change observed. It is for comparison.
 The control has identical situation except the condition missing from the
experiment.

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Destarching a plant.
De- means removing.
De-starching – is the removal of starch of from a plant leaf.
 At the beginning of the experiment, the plant leaf should not have any
starch.
 This is done by leaving a plant in darkness for 2 to 3 days.
 A potted plant is destarched by leaving it in a dark cupboard for 24 hours.
 In darkness photosynthesis does not occur, all the starch is used during
respiration.
 Destarching is done so that we will be sure that starch found in the leaf is
produced during the experiment.
Testing a leaf for starch.
Stages.
1.Submerge a leaf in boiling water for one minute.
 Enzymes in the leaf cells are denatured, chemical reactions stop and leaf
dies.
 The cell membrane is destroyed making it easier to extract chlorophyll.
2. A leaf is put in a test-tube with ethanol and the test tube is placed in
a beaker with hot water.
 Chlorophyll is extracted.
3. The leaf is placed in a beaker with cold water.
 To wash the chlorophyll.
 To rehydrate the leaf which softens it, making it easier to spread.

4. Spread the leaf on a white tile and put drops of iodine solution.

5. Observe the colour change.


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 If the colour goes blue black, starch is present. If it remains yellow/
brown there is no starch.

SAMPLE QUESTION.

J 12 P61 Q1(e) Onion leaves are green. Students testing onion leaves for the presence of

starch used the method shown in the four stages of Fig. 1.5.

Explain the reasons for the details shown in each stage. Write your answers on the

lines below Fig. 1.5

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State the reasons for each stage. [4]

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

N07 P3 Q5(a) (i) The stages involved in testing a leaf for starch are shown below.

The stages are in the correct sequence, but the reasons are in the wrong order.

Use straight lines to match the stages with the correct reasons. One has been

done for you.

(ii) Explain why chlorophyll is removed from the leaf before testing it for starch [1]

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THE REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

1.Light , which provides energy for the process.

2.Chlorophyll, a green pigment that absorbs the energy from the light.

3. Carbon dioxide , which diffuses from the air into the leaf through the stomata.

4.Water , which is absorbed by plant roots from the soil.

NB: Water and carbon dioxide are the raw materials for photosynthesis.

EXPERIMENT TO SHOW THAT LIGHT IS NEEDED FOR

PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

1.A part of destarched plant leaf is covered with aluminum foil or black opaque
paper to prevent light getting through.

2. The potted plant is left in the light for 4 to 6 hours.

3. The leaf is tested for starch.

Results.

Explanation of the results.

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The part that was not covered received light and starch was produced during
photosynthesis and it turned blue –black.

The part that was covered did not photosynthesis as there was no light so it

remained yellow /brown.

EXPERIMENT TO SHOW THAT CO2 IS NEEDED FOR


PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

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1.Two watered potted plants have their shoots enclosed by a transparent polythene
bag.

 Transparent polythene bag prevents the entry of CO2 from the air.

2.In one pot a dish of soda lime that removes carbon dioxide is placed.(Set Y-
Experiment).

In the other pot a dish with same volume of sodium hydrogen carbonate that
provides carbon dioxide is put ( Set X-Control).

3. Both plants are left in the light for 4 to 6 hours .

4.Leaves from each plant are tested for starch.

NB: For fair comparison both the plants :

 Must be of the same species.


 Same age.
 Should have same number of leaves.
 Should be exposed to the same conditions.
Results.

The leaf that had no carbon dioxide does not turn blue. The one from the polythene
bag containing CO2 does turn blue.

Interpretation.

The fact that starch was made in the leaves that had CO2, but not in the leaves that
had no CO2 suggests that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

N07 P3 Q5 An experiment was carried out to find out if carbon dioxide is needed for

photosynthesis.

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(b) State two factors, other than carbon dioxide, that both plants would need in order to

Photosynthesise [2]

(c) Plant B was used as a control in the experiment. Explain the importance of this control

(d) Explain why the plants were destarched. [1]

(f) In a further experiment, another destarched plant was kept in the dark.

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The concentration of carbon dioxide in the container was measured at regular intervals

and was found to increase with time.

Explain why the concentration of carbon dioxide increased. [3]

EXPERIMENT TO SHOW THAT CHLOROPHYLL IS NECESSARY FOR


PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

 It is not possible to remove chlorophyll from a leaf without killing the


leaf, so variegated leaf is used.
 A variegated leaf is a leaf with chlorophyll only in patches.
 The plant with variegated leaves is destarched and then exposed to light
for 4 to 6 hours.
 After 6 hours, the plant leaves are tested for starch.

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Results .

 Only parts that were previously green turn blue black and parts that were
white stain yellow / brown.
 Since starch is present only in the parts that originally contained chlorophyll,
it shows that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis.

EXPERIMENT TO SHOW THAT OXYGEN IS PRODUCED DURING


PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

 A short stemmed funnel is placed over some pond weeds in a beaker of


water.
 A test tube is filled with water and placed upside down over the funnel
stem.
 The apparatus is placed in sunlight. Bubbles of gas should appear from the
cut stems and collect in the test tube.
 A set up control in a similar way but is placed in a dark cupboard.

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 When sufficient gas has collected from the plant in the light, the test tube is
removed.
 A glowing splint is inserted at the opening of the test tube

Result.

The glowing splint rekindle/ relights.

Interpretation.

 The relighting of a glowing splint does not prove that the gas collected in the
test tube is pure oxygen, but it shows that it contains extra oxygen and this
must have come from the plant.

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RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

 Chief factors which affect the rate of photosynthesis are light intensity,
temperature and carbon dioxide.

EFFECT OF VARYING LIGHT INTENSITY ON THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

How Light intensity is varied.


 Varying distance of the light source from the pond weed.
 Using light bulbs with different watts e.g 10 W, 20W , 30W, 40W and 50W.
 The rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing light intensity up to a certain point
where further increase in light intensity has no effect on the rate of photosynthesis.
 Light intensity at this point is no longer the limiting factor , other factors eg carbon
dioxide and temperature are limiting the process.

 In the absence of light, photosynthesis does not occur and only respiration occurs.
 At higher light intensities, a net uptake of CO2 and release of oxygen is reached .
 At very high light intensities, the rate of photosynthesis slows down as excessive amounts
of ultraviolet rays damage chlorophyll molecules.
 The rate of photosynthesis is measured by dividing the volume of gas produced by the
time taken.

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

F/M 16 P62 Q2 Leaves exposed to light photosynthesise and produce oxygen


gas.
A student measured the rate at which the leaves of a pond plant produced
bubbles of oxygen gas when exposed to different intensities of light.
The apparatus used is shown in Fig. 2.1.

Fig. 2.1

The investigation was carried out in a dark laboratory. The only light source
was the lamp, as
shown in Fig. 2.1.
The student changed the light intensity by placing the lamp at different
distances from the plant.
The results are shown in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

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(a) (i) Plot a graph of the data in Table 2.1 and draw a line of best fit.
[5]

(ii) Use your graph to estimate the distance of the lamp from the plant when
six bubbles of
oxygen per minute would be produced.
Show on the graph how you obtained your answer.
[2]
(iii) Describe the relationship between light intensity and the rate at which
oxygen is produced
by the plant.
[2]
(iv) Suggest why the student used a water-bath in the investigation shown in
Fig. 2.1.[1]

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

4 (a) Complete the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis.

A student investigated the effect of increasing the concentration of carbon dioxide on


the rate of photosynthesis of Cabomba, an aquatic plant.
Fig. 4.1 shows the apparatus that the student used.

Fig. 4.1
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the water surrounding the plant was changed by
adding different concentrations of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution to the water.
The student recorded the time taken for the meniscus to travel 50 mm down the tubing.
The rate of photosynthesis was calculated as:

where t = time taken in seconds for the meniscus to travel 50 mm.


The student’s results are shown in Table 4.1.

Table 4.1

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(b) Calculate the rate of photosynthesis for the concentration of sodium
3
hydrogencarbonate solution of 0.07 mol per dm .
Write your answer in Table 4.1. [1]
(c) (i) Explain why the lamp must be kept at a fixed distance from the syringe.[2]
(ii) Explain what caused the meniscus to move down the capillary tubing. [2]
(d) Fig. 4.2 is a partially completed graph of the student’s results.
Complete the graph by labeling the axes, adding the missing point and drawing a
Suitable line.

Fig. 4.2
(e) Explain, using the term limiting factors, the effect of carbon dioxide concentration on
the rate of photosynthesis as shown by the student’s results.
question. [5]

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EFFECT OF CARBON DIOXIDE ON THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.
 Carbon dioxide can be varied by using different concentration of sodium hydrogen
carbonate ( NaHCO3 ).
 The normal percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere is 0.03%.
 Increase in carbon dioxide level increases the rate of photosynthesis up to the carbon
dioxide saturation point where further increase in carbon dioxide has no effect.

CO 2 is no longer the
limiting factor

CO 2
saturation
point.

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

N15 P31 Q2 A student carried out an investigation to find the effect of carbon dioxide
concentration on the rate of photosynthesis of an aquatic plant.
The apparatus that the student used is shown in Fig. 2.1. The student was advised to use a
light meter positioned at the same distance from the lamp as the pond plant. The student
counted the number of bubbles produced by the cut end of the stem.

Fig. 2.1

(a) Explain why the student included the following in the apparatus.
(i) The beaker of water and the thermometer. [2]
(ii) The light meter and the ruler. [2]
(b) The results obtained by the student are shown in Fig. 2.2.

Fig 2.2
(i) Describe the student’s results.You will gain credit if you use data from Fig. 2.2 in your
answer. [3]
(ii)State the factor that is limiting the rate of photosynthesis in region X of the graph.[1]

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

N09 P32 Q3 A student set up the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.1 to investigate the effect of
carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis of a pond plant.
The student used five similar pieces of pond plant and five different concentrations of
sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) solution, which provides the carbon dioxide.
The student counted the number of bubbles produced by the pond plant over a period of
five minutes.

Fig. 3.1
(a) Explain how the student made sure that the results were due only to the change in
carbon dioxide concentration. [4]
The student repeated the investigation at each concentration and calculated the rate of
photosynthesis.
The student’s results are shown in Table 3.1.
Table 3.1

(b) (i) Calculate the mean rate of photosynthesis when the carbon dioxide concentration

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was 0.2% and write your answer in the table. [1]

(ii) Plot the results from Table 3.1 on the axes below. Draw an appropriate line on the
graph to show the relationship between carbon dioxide concentration and the rate
of photosynthesis. [2]

(c) Explain the effect of increasing carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of
photosynthesis up to 0.4% as shown in your graph. [2]
(d) Suggest the result that the student would get if a carbon dioxide concentration of
0.6%
was used and explain your answer. [3]
(e) The student used tap water as the 0% carbon dioxide concentration.
Explain why the student recorded some bubbles being produced. [1]
[Total: 13]

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EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

 Photosynthesis is an enzyme controlled process.


 Increasing temperature up to 40 o c will increase the rate of photosynthesis.

 The kinetic energy of enzymes and substrates increases


 This increases the rate of photosynthesis.
 Temperature above the optimum temperature results in enzyme denaturation
and rate decreases.

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

F/M 17 P32 Q6(b) In an investigation, some students placed a plant in bright light.
They measured the rate of photosynthesis at different temperatures.
The results are shown in Fig. 6.1.

Fig. 6.1
(i) Describe the results shown in Fig. 6.1. [2]
(ii) Suggest an explanation for these results. [2]
(iii) Predict the effects on the rate of photosynthesis if the investigation is carried out at
60 °C.Explain your reason. [2]

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THE USE OF THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC PRODUCTS.

 Glucose produced during photosynthesis is converted to sucrose and is transported from


the photosynthetic cells by the phloem vessels.
 It combines with nitrates to form amino acids.
 It is converted to starch for storage.
 Also used to make cellulose which is used to make plant cell wall.
 Can also be used to make plant oils.
Summary of the use photosynthetic products.

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LIMITING FACTORS

Limiting factor- is something present in the environment in such short supply that

it restricts life processes.

 When a process is affected by more than one factor, the factor that prevents any further
increase in the rate of the process is a limiting factor.
Three limiting factors.
1. Light intensity.
 Light intensity determines the energy available to photosynthesis.
 If light intensity is low, even if temperature is warm, carbon dioxide concentration is
high, photosynthesis will occur slowly because there is shortage of energy for
photosynthesis.

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2.Carbon dioxide.
 Carbon dioxide is the raw material for photosynthesis, so if the concentration increases
there is more of it available for chloroplast enzymes to make carbohydrates.
3.Temperature.
 Increasing temperature increases the rate of reaction up to the optimum temperature.
 Increasing temperature increases the kinetic energy of the substrates and enzymes in the
chloroplast and they collide more often.
 Rate of reaction decreases at temperature above the optimum temperature because the
enzymes in the chloroplasts are denatured.
GRAPH SHOWING ALL THE LIMITING FACTORS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS.

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4
Region
X

 At region X light intensity is the limiting factor but after that ,light is no longer the
limiting factor, other factors like carbon dioxide and temperature a limiting the process.
 Starting with graph 1, when temperature was increased to 300C graph2, there was no
significant increase in the rate of photosynthesis this show that temperature was not the
limiting factor but carbon dioxide.
 When carbon dioxide concentration was increased to 0,13% in graph 3, there was
significant increase in the rate of photosynthesis and carbon dioxide is no longer a
limiting factor in graph 3 but temperature..
 When temperature was increased to 300C, there was significant increase in the rate.
SAMPLE QUESTION.

N 06 P3 Q5 (a) A typical dicotyledonous leaf contains a number of different types of cells,


including: guard cells, palisade mesophyll, spongy mesophyll and upper epidermal cells.
Using the types of cells listed above, complete the table by

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(i) writing the types of cells in the order that sunlight passes through them,
(ii) stating the proportion of chloroplasts in each of the types of cells. Use the terms
none, some and many. [3]
Stomatal pores are surrounded by pairs of guard cells. When the stomata are closed the
rate of photosynthesis is affected, due to a limiting factor.
(b) (i) Write a balanced equation, using chemical symbols, for the process of
photosynthesis. [2]
(ii) Define the term limiting factor. [2]
(iii) State the factor that limits photosynthesis when the stomata are closed. [1]
(c) Vascular bundles, containing xylem and phloem tissue, are situated in the leaf.
(i) Describe the structure of xylem tissue. [3]
(ii) State the functions of xylem and phloem. [4]
(d) Some plants close their stomata during the hottest part of the day, despite the effect
on photosynthesis. Suggest what benefit this might be to the plants. [1]

GLASSHOUSE PRODUCTION
 Growers try to improve the yield of their crops by giving them the best possible
conditions for photosynthesis to take place.
 Conditions in glasshouse allow plants to be grown earlier in the year and grown where
they would not normally grow well.
How conditions are controlled in the glasshouse.
1.Temperature.
 Glass prevents escape of heat energy.

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 Electric heaters are used in cold weather.
 Ventilator flaps are opened to cool the glasshouse on hot days.
 Butane or natural gas can be burnt to provide heat.
2. Light.
 The glass lets in sunlight.
 Artificial lighting can be used when light intensity is low.
3. Carbon dioxide.
 Carbon dioxide can be pumped into the glass to increase the carbon dioxide
concentration.
 Butane or natural gas can be burnt to provide carbon dioxide.
NB:All factors in the glasshouse are monitored and controlled by computers so few staff
is needed. Sensors for carbon dioxide concentration, humidity, light intensity and
temperature detect changes in these limiting factors. Computers process data from the
sensors and control all heating, ventilation, lighting and shading in the glasshouse.

SAMPLE QUESTION.

J14 P33 Q6 (c) The rate of photosynthesis varies as a result of changes in environmental
factors.
State one environmental factor and explain how it can affect the rate of photosynthesis
[3]
(d) Environmental factors can be controlled in glasshouses.
Describe how three environmental factors are controlled in a glasshouse to improve crop
yield. [3]

THE LEAF STRUCTURE.

 The is the main photosynthetic organ .


 It is an organ because it’s made of different tissues.

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Adaptations of the leaf for Photosynthesis.

 It is broad and flat to provide a large surface area to trap maximum amount of light and
carbon dioxide.
 The leaf is very thin to reduce the diffusion distance of carbon dioxide and allow light to
penetrate to all cells.
 The main photosynthetic cells are near the upper surface of the leaf and have greatest
concentration of chloroplasts in its cells for maximum absorption of sunlight.
 The leaves are positioned at an angle so that they all receive maximum amount of light
without shadowing each other.
 Numerous stomata on the lower surface to allow gas exchange.
 Has well developed vascular system to carry water and mineral ions to the leaf and carry
photosynthesized sugars away from the leaf.
 A branching network of veins provides a good water supply to the photosynthetic cells.
No cell is very far from water – conducting vessel in one these veins.

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The Internal Leaf Structure.

The leaf structure has four main tissues:

 Upper and lower epidermis.


 Palisade mesophyll.
 Spongy mesophyll.
 Vascular bundle.

Activity: Label the following; cuticle, upper epidermis, palisade layer, spongy mesophyll,
vascular bundle( xylem and phloem) , air space, guard cell and stomata.

1.Upper Epidermis.

 Its is one cell thick, covered by a waxy cuticle.

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 Cells do not have chloroplasts.
 Stomata present in fewer numbers than in the lower epidermis.

Function.

 Cuticle reduces evaporation of water from the epidermal cells and protects against
mechanical damage.
 It is transparent to allow passage of light to the palisade.
 Close fitting cells; prevent entry of bacteria and fungi.

2.Palisade mesophyll.

 Made up of densely packed cylindrical –shaped cells arranged at right angle to the upper
epidermis of the leaf in one or two layers to allow maximum penetration of light into the
cells.
 Palisade cells have thin cell walls.
 Also contain many chloroplasts.
 Thin cell wall allows rapid diffusion of water and carbon dioxide in the chloroplast.
 The cells have large vacuoles to push the chloroplasts to the walls for maximum
absorption of light.

Function .

 The main site for photosynthesis.

3. Spongy mesophyll.

 Irregularly – shaped cells containing fewer chloroplasts.


 Loosely packed cells from with large intercellular air spaces between them.

Function.
 Allow diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen in and out of leaf.
 Photosynthesis occurs in the cells.
 Their turgidity contributes to support.

4. Vascular tissue.

 Made of the xylem and phloem vessels.

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 Xylem vessels transport water and mineral ions from the roots to the photosynthesizing
cells.
 Phloem transports the products of photosynthesis from the leaves to all parts of plant.

5. Lower epidermis.

 One cell thick layer, covered by a waxy cuticle, many stomata present.
 Stomata allow gaseous exchange between the air spaces and the surrounding atmosphere.
 Stomata consist of a pair of curved guard cells surrounding the stomata pore.
 Guard cells control the opening of stomata.

SAMPLE QUESTION.

F/M 15 P321 Fig. 1.1 shows a diagram of a cross-section of a dicotyledonous leaf, as


seen using a light microscope.

Fig. 1.1

(a) (i) Name tissue A and cell B. [2]

(ii) Describe two ways in which tissue A is adapted for maximum photosynthesis.[2]

(b) Plants use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.

(i) Describe where and how carbon dioxide enters a leaf. [3]

(ii) State the two products of photosynthesis. [1]

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SAMPLE QUESTION.

J 11 P33 Q6 Fig. 6.1 shows a leaf and a flower of Helleborus orientalis.

Fig. 6.1
(a) H. orientalis is a dicotyledonous plant.
State three features visible in Fig. 6.1 that show it is a dicotyledonous plant. [3]
Fig. 6.2 is a photograph of a section through a leaf of H. orientalis.

Complete the table, using ticks (_), to show the cells that carry out photosynthesis.[2]

(c) Explain how two features of leaves, visible in sections such as that shown in Fig. 6.2,
are adaptations for efficient photosynthesis. [4]

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GASEOUS EXCHANGE IN PLANTS.

 Plants both respire and photosynthesise.


 During daylight both respiration and photosynthesis occur
 CO2 produced during respiration is used by the process of photosynthesis and oxygen
produced by photosynthesis is used during respiration.
 Oxygen is released and Carbon dioxide is taken in when the rate of photosynthesis is
faster than the rate of respiration.

Compensation point- is point when there is no net intake and output of carbon dioxide or
oxygen. The rates of photosynthesis and respiration are equal.

 The sugar produced during photosynthesis compensate for the sugar used during
respiration.

EFFECT OF DARKNESS AND LIGHT ON GAS EXCHANGE IN PLANTS.

 A student carried out an experiment to investigate the effect of light and darkness on
gas exchange in plants.
 Hyrogen carbonate indicator which is pink/red in colour was used.
 It changes colour depending on the pH.
 When carbon dioxide is added of increases, pH decreases , the indicator changes
colour from pink /red to yellow.
 When carbon dioxide decreases it changes colour from pink/red to purple.

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Procedure.

1.The student labeled 3 test tubes 1, 2 and 3and added equal volumes Hydrogen
carbonate indicator.

2. In test tube 1, had pond weeds exposed to light,


 Test tube 2 had pond weeds but the test tube was covered by an aluminium
foil to prevent entry of light and finally
 Test tube 3 had no pond weeds.
3. All the test tubes were for 24 hours.

The following results were obtained:

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Purple Pink/red
Yellow.

EXPLANATIONS OF THE RESULTS OBTAINED.

 Hydrogen carbonate in test tube 1 turned purple because pond weeds used up more
carbon dioxide in photosynthesis than they produce during respiration
 In Test tube 2, hydrogen carbon turned yellow because photosynthesis stopped but
respiration continued, carbon dioxide was produced and pH decreased.
 Test tube 3 is the control showing that it is the presence of a plant that causes a change in
colour of the solutions.

MINERAL REQUIREMENTS.

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 Plants require a source of nitrate ions for making amino acids.
 Magnesium ions are needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll.
 Plant nutrient can be improved by adding chemical fertilisers.
 NPK fertilisers contain nitrogen in the form of nitrates, Phosphorous in the form of
phosphates, and potassium in the form of potassium ions.

Nutrient Function Deficiency symptom


Nitrogen (N)  Protein synthesis  Stunted growth.
 Synthesis of  Small and yellow
chlorophyll leaves.
 Synthesis of DNA.
 Growth of leaves and
stems.
Phosphorus (P)  Synthesis of ATP  Poor root growth.
 Synthesis of DNA.
 Root development
Potassium (K)  For healthy leaves  Poor fruit
and flowers. development.

SAMPLE QUESTION.

J 08 P1 Q36 What does a plant make with the nitrates it absorbs?


A carbohydrates B fats C mineral salts D proteins.

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