SBI 4UO Introduction to Photosynthesis
Use your text, beginning on p 156 to answer the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
For a plant, what is the purpose of photosynthesis?
Into what types of sugars is glucose converted?
How much of the dry weight of a plant is made via the process of photosynthesis?
Provide the simplified summary equation of photosynthesis. How might this equation be
considered misleading?
5. Describe, in basic terms, the i) light dependent reactions and the ii) light independent
reactions.
6. How many chloroplasts might a typical leaf have per mm2?
7. Sketch and label a diagram of a chloroplast.
8. Differentiate between long wavelengths and short wavelengths in terms of i) energy and
ii) colour
9. What is a pigment? An absorbance spectrum?
10. Describe the absorbance spectra of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and the accessory
pigment beta carotene.
11. What is beta carotene used for in humans?
12. Explain carotenoids
13. Describe photosystem and reaction centre.
14. Describe photoexcitation. What is an electron acceptor?