Photosynthesis is the process where the chloroplasts located in the palisade
mesophyll tissue absorbs energy from the sunlight and uses this energy to react water
with carbon dioxide to produce glucose and oxygen whereby energy is released.
This produces the plants food.
This is an endothermic reaction because it takes in energy from the sun for the reaction
to occur.
The symbol equation is: 6CO2 + 6H2O = C6H12O6 +6O2
The rate of Photosynthesis is dependent on the light intensity, temperature and CO2
concentration.
Light intensity = 1/distance2
Set the apparatus to measure rate of Photosynthesis
Put Canadian pondweed in water, add hydrogen carbonate which releases carbon
dioxide and put a light in front of the crucible.
A gas syringe is attached so that the oxygen produced can be collected. The carbon
dioxide reacts with water in the presence of light to produce glucose and oxygen.
The temperature and carbon dioxide concentration is controlled
Structure of a plant
Waxy cuticle reduces water loss.
Upper epidermis is completely see-through so that light that passes through can be
absorbed by the palisade mesophyll tissue.
This contains a lot of chloroplasts so that a lot of photosynthesis can occur.
Below this is the spongy mesophyll tissue which has a lot of airspaces so that gases like
water vapour and CO2 can easily diffuse in and out of it.
Then there is the vascular bundle which has the phloem and xylem which are
transporting cells that carry glucose and water around the plant.