IB Biology

Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction Rate can be measured by quantifying

The uptake of reactants: ____________The production of products: _________

6CO2 + 6H2O 6O2 + C6H12O6

6O2 + C6H12O6 6CO2 + 6H2Olight

Temperature, Light Intensity and CO2 concentration all affect the rate of photosynthesis

Note: Temperature also has a limit, as with most enzymatic functions, a broader chart would reveal a bell shaped curve

Rate of Photosynthesis

Light

Inte

nsi

ty

Rate of Photosynthesis

CO

2

Conce

ntr

ati

on

Rate of Photosynthesis

Tem

pera

ture

Thylakoids: large surface area ideal for light absorption (light dependent reactions)

Lumen: Small space inside thylakoids for accumulation of protons

Fluid Stroma for the enzymes of Calvin Cycle

The rate of a physiological activity plotted against wavelength of light.

The absorption of energy by something (chlorophyll, for example) at various wavelengths

So, why are plants green?