6

Plant Nutrotion
IGCSE BIOLOGY
Syllabus Requirement:
Core Supplement
• Define photosynthesis • demonstrate the significance of these features in
• State word and symbol equations for terms of functions
photosynthesis • describe the importance of nitrate ions for
• Describe the intake of raw materials, protein synthesis and magnesium ions for
the trapping and storing of energy, chlorophyll synthesis
the formation of food substances and • describe the uses and the dangers of overuse of
their subsequent storage nitrogen fertilizers explain the effects of nitrate
ion and magnesium ion deficiency on plant
• Identify the cellular and tissue growth
structure of a dicotyledonous leaf • Use hydrogencarbonate indicator solution to
• Demonstrate the significance of investigate the effect of gas exchange of an
these features in terms of functions aquatic plant kept in the light and in the dark
• Describe the importance of nitrate • Describe the use of carbon dioxide enrichment,
ions for protein synthesis and optimum light and optimum temperatures in
magnesium ions for chlorophyll glasshouses in temperate and tropical countries
synthesis • Outline the subsequent use and storage of the
• Describe the uses and the dangers carbohydrates made in photosynthesis
of overuse of nitrogen fertilizers • Design and invesitigate how the limiting factors can
affect the rate of photosynthesis in the water plant

Adopted from Cambridge IGCSE Biology 0610. Syllabus for examination in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
Biology at Glance IGCSE and GCSE review, Revision Guide Oxford
 Photosynthesis
Definition: process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates(organic) from raw
materials using energy from light (Light energy to Chemical energy)

CHLOROPHYLL:
• The green pigment that makes plant look green
• Inside chloroplast
• Absorbs sunlight energy and converts it to chemical energy available for the
formation of carbohydates

chloroplast
 Photosynthesis

You must be able to recall both of these equations! (read question carefully)
LEAVES
 Transverse section of leaf
Waxy layer secreted by the cells in
Thin layer of cells without chloroplasts that
epidermis. Prevents water
provides the protection to cells below
evaporation(transparent)
(transparent)

Some
photosynthesis
Layer of elongates
can happen here
cells full of
as well. Have air
chloroplasts for
spaces between
photosynthesis.
them to allow CO2
They are close to
the top of the lead to diffuse to
so they receive lot palisade cells from
of light stomata

Water is provided
by xylem tissue.
Sucrose made in CO2 enters and O2
photosynthesis is + H20(g) leave by
transported away Guard cells can change shape to diffusion through
in phloem tissue. open or close the stomata stomata
TEST YOURSELF
 How are leaves adapted to their functions?
Maximum light absorption To expose as much of the leaf to sun
• Broad and flat surface
• Position and arrangement
• Large surface area Efficient gas exchange
• Large surface area of leaf
So sunlight penetrates • Leaves are very thin
• Air spaces in spongy mesophyll
Thin and transparent
epidermal cells

Many chloroplasts in
the palisade cells and To obtain water
• Branching network of veins
arranged broadside on provides a good water supply
to the photosynthetic cells

To expose chlorophyll to sunlight

 What happens to the glucose?
Respiration to provide energy to drive Conversion to other molecules such as
the metabolic reactions needed to keep oils and proteins. This may require
the plant alive mineral salts (e.g. nitrates)

Conversion to sucrose to transport to

other parts of the plants via phloem
(translocated)
Glucose
Conversion to cellulose for the
construction of plant cells walls.

Conversion to starch for storage. Starch

NOTE: glucose is not a good storage is insoluble so does not affect water
molecule because it is reactive and potential of plant cells.
soluble water.
Mineral deficiency
 Starch Test
To determine whether a leaf has been photosynthesizing you can test it for starch.

Boiling water Ethanol

1. Place the leaf 2. Place the leaf 3. Dip the now 4. Add iodine
in the boiling in the hot colorless brittle solution and
water. This
alcohol. This leaf into water look for the
destroys the waxy
cuticle and breaks dissolves the to soften it. blue black color.
open the cell chlorophyll
membrane from the leaf
 Investigating what is needed for photosynthesis
Test for chlorophyll
• variegated leaves (green and white)
• The parts that were green go blue black

Light

• Partly cover a leaf with black paper and

stand the plant in light place for day
• The parts that were uncovered go blue
black

Carbon dioxide
• Use substance that absorbs CO2(soda
lime) to remove CO2 from air.
• Place one container with soda lime,
identical container with no soda lime.
• Only leaf that had CO2 goes blue black

In each experiment, control is used which can compare the results. For example, in the black paper
experiment, we can compare results for the parts of the leaf that had light with parts that did not have
light!
Investigating the rate of photosynthesis
(aquatic plants)
 Limiting Factors
something present in the environment in such short supply that is restricts life processes
 Greenhouse (Application)
Allows conditions to be
controlled.
Maximize the rate of
photosynthesis
Faster photosynthesis = growth
increase (Yield increase)

Temperate country
- Low light intensity + temperature

Tropical country
- Low CO2
 Respiration and Photosynthesis
Daylight
photosynthesis ↑ respiration (rate)
• CO2 produced by respiration is
used in photosynthesis + CO2 from
air
• Some of O2 released by
photosynthesis is used up in
respiration, but not all . (rest is
given out)

Night (Darkness)
Only respiration takes place

Hydrogencarbonate indicator (gas exchange in aquatic plants)

It is red in equilibrium with

atmospheric air.

orange/yellow = ↑ CO2 level

Voilet/purple = ↓ CO2 level
 Plants need Minerals too!

Mineral Source Importance

Magnesium Absorbed as Mg2+ from Manufacture of chloroplast
the soil solution Absence makes leaves turn yellow
and eventually stops
photosynthesis
Nitrogen Absorbed as Nitrate or Manufacture of proteins, nucleic
ammonium(NH4+) from acids and plant hormones.
the soil solution Absence causes poor growth,
especially for leaves.

Nitrogen (poor
growth)

Magnesium (yellowing of leaves)

Fertilisers
Too much?? (Eutrophication)