Photosynthesis Interaction and Interdependence

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What is photosynthesis?

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Photosynthesis is a metabolic process used by plants, algae, and some bacteria to convert light energy into chemical energy, fixing carbon dioxide into carbon-based compounds like sugars and amino acids.

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Which organisms perform photosynthesis?

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1. Plants (e.g., mosses, ferns, conifers, flowering plants) 2. Eukaryotic algae (e.g., seaweed, unicellular algae) 3. Bacteria (e.g., cyanobacteria, purple bacteria) Note: Archaea do not carry out photosynthesis.

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What adaptations do plants have for harvesting light?

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Plants adapt to acquire light by developing structures like dominant leading shoots, climbing lianas, epiphytes growing on trees, and shade-tolerant shrubs.

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What is the process of energy transformation in photosynthesis?

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Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy, producing carbon compounds by converting carbon dioxide to glucose using hydrogen from water, with oxygen as a byproduct.

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What are the limiting factors for photosynthesis?

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The three limiting factors for photosynthesis are temperature, carbon dioxide concentration, and light intensity.

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What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?

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Chlorophyll is the primary pigment in green plants that absorbs light to excite electrons, initiating the process of photosynthesis.

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What is the difference between absorption spectra and action spectra?

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Absorption spectra show the wavelengths of light absorbed by different pigments, while action spectra indicate the rate of photosynthesis at different wavelengths.

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What is the significance of temperature in photosynthesis?

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Temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis; increases initially enhance the rate, but excessive heat can denature enzymes, leading to a decline in the rate.

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What is the purpose of carbon dioxide enrichment experiments?

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These experiments demonstrate the importance of light intensity, temperature, and carbon dioxide concentration, often showing that increasing CO2 levels can enhance the rate of photosynthesis and plant growth.

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What is a control variable in an experiment?

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A control variable is any factor that could vary but is kept the same for all parts of the experiment to ensure it does not affect the experimental results.