Chapter 6-Plant nutrition
Photosynthesis= A process performed by green plants, in which light energy is converted into chemical
energy
• Green plants absorb carbon dioxide through the stomata (in the leaves) via diffusion process
• Water is absorbed through plants roots by the osmosis process and transported to the leaf via xylem
vessels
• Chlorophyll (in chloroplast) helps to trap light energy
• Light energy is used to break up water molecules, then to bond hydrogen and carbon dioxide to form
glucose
• Glucose is converted to sucrose for transport around the plant or starch for storage, formation of cell
wall, nectar, formation of oil that will be used for cell membrane, etc.
• Oxygen is released as a waste product or used by plant for respiration
• Hence, light energy is converted to chemical energy for the formation of glucose
Gaseous exchange in plants
During photosynthesis=plants take in carbon dioxide and gives out oxygen
During daylight hours= Plants are photosynthesizing as well as respiring; carbon dioxide produced by
respiration is used up by photosynthesis. At the same time, oxygen needed by respiration is provided by
photosynthesis
During no light= no photosynthesis, however, respiration process takes place
Limiting factors= something present in the environment in such short supply that it restricts life
processes
Factor Description Image
Light intensity a to b: As the amount of light increases, the rate
of photosynthesis increases. Hence, the limiting
factor is light. c
b
b to c: Increasing the amount of light after a
certain point has no effect on the rate of a
photosynthesis. Hence, the limiting factor would
be temperature or concentration of carbon
dioxide.
Concentration a to b: As the concentration of CO2 increases,
of carbon the rate of photosynthesis increases. Hence, the c
dioxide limiting factor is concentration of CO2. b
b to c: Increasing the concentration of CO2 after
a certain point has no effect on the rate of a
photosynthesis. Hence, the limiting factor would Concentration of CO2
be temperature or light intensity
Temperature • As temperature increases, the rate of
photosynthesis increases until it reaches an
optimum temperature.
• Increasing the temperature above optimum
temperature will cause the enzymes to denature.
• This well decrease rate of photosynthesis as
enzymes are required for photosynthesis
The role of the stomata
• At low concentration of carbon dioxide, the stomata will open allowing carbon dioxide to diffuse into
the leaf
• When light intensity falls, photosynthesis will slow down and the build up of carbon dioxide from
respiration will make the stomata close
• If the stomata close during the daytime as a result of excessive water loss from the leaf, their closure
will restrict photosynthesis by preventing the inward diffusion of atmospheric carbon dioxide
Leaf structure
Parts Function
Waxy cuticle -Prevents water loss
Epidermis (upper -a single layer of cells on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf
and lower) -has no chloroplasts
-so light can pass through to palisade layer
-Acts as a protective outer layer
Palisade -contains many chloroplast
mesophyll -green in color due to the presence of the pigment chlorophyll
-arranged tightly, more chances for the cells to absorb light energy
Spongy - Vary in shape and fit loosely
mesophyll -Has lots of air spaces that allows plants to carry out gas exchange
Vascular bundle -contains xylem and phloem
-xylem: long thin tubes with no cell contents when mature, have thickened cell walls,
impregnated with a material called lignin. It carries water and salts.
-Phloem: form of sieve tubes: Ends of each elongated cell are perforated to form
sieve plate and the cells retain their contents. It transports food substances such as
glucose and amino acids.
Stomata -consists of a pair of guard cells
-dicotyledons: stomata occur only in the lower epidermis
-monocotyledons: stomata are equally distributed on both sides of the leaf
-allows gases to diffuses in and out of the mesophyll layer
Mineral requirements
1) Nitrate ions
a) Needed for protein synthesis. Proteins are essential for plants to make enzymes.
b) Deficiency= stunted growth, small plant, top leaves will be pale in color, bottom leaves will be dead
and roots slightly affected
2) Magnesium ions
a) Needed for chlorophyll synthesis
b) Deficiency= leaves will be yellowish, normal roots
Nitrogen fertilizer= provide nitrogen in the form of nitrate ions, nitrate ions or ammonium ions. But using
fertilizers can lead to eutrophication, which is when then fertilizers is transported by rain and leaches into
stagnant water.
Eutrophication