Chapter 7: Plant Nutrition

Students should be able to:

1. Understand that photosynthesis is the fundamental process by

which plants manufacture carbohydrates from raw materials.
2. State the equation for photosynthesis
3. Investigate and state the effects of varying light intensity, carbon
dioxide concentration and temperature on the rate of
photosynthesis.
4. Describe intake of carbon dioxide and water by plants.
5. Understand that chlorophyll traps light energy and convert it into
chemical energy for formation of carbohydrates and their
subsequent usage.
6. Identify and label the cellular and tissue structure of a
dicotyledonous leaf as seen in cross-section.
7. #Understand the effect of lack of nitrate and magnesium ions on
plant growth.

7.1 Photosynthesis

• Definition: Process by which plants manufacture carbohydrates from

the raw materials of carbon dioxide and water.

Chlorophyll
• Word Equation: Carbon Dioxide + Water  glucose + oxygen
Light energy

Chlorophyll
6CO2 + 12 H 2 O → C 6 H 1 2 O6 + 6O2 + 6 H 2 O
Light energy

7.2 Factors affecting photosynthetic rate (pg 121 of txtbk)

• These factors are
 Light Intensity
 Carbon Dioxide concentration
 Temperature

7.2.1 Light Intensity

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Photosynthetic rate

Light Intensity

Explanation:
• As light intensity ↑ from O to A ⇒ light is the limiting factor
• Beyond A ⇒ rate of photosynthesis remains constant ⇒ light is no
longer limiting factor.
• So something else must have caused the rate to remain constant.
What are they? Carbon dioxide conc and temperature

7.2.2 Temperature

Photosynthetic rate

Light Intensity

Explanation: Photosyn is a process catalyzed by enzymes

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 At higher temperatures, the enzymes are more active therefore rate of
reaction is higher. However, beyond a certain range of optimum
temperature, the enzymes start to denature thus rate of photosynthesis
starts to decrease

• As temperature ↑ from 20°C to 30°C ⇒ photosynthetic rate ↑ but not

as much ⇒ rate of photosynthesis remains more or less constant ⇒
temperature is not a limiting factor

7.2.3 Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Photosynthetic rate

Light Intensity

Explanation:
• As carbon dioxide concentration ↑ from 0.03% to 0.13% ⇒
photosynthetic rate ↑ by twice its original value ⇒ carbon dioxide
concentration is the limiting factor
• But atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration = 0.03% only
• Only under lab conditions that carbon dioxide concentration > 0.03%
 Under those conditions, a noticeable rise in photosynthetic rate
is observed when temperature increases from 20°C to 30°C
• Thus, carbon dioxide concentration is an important limiting factor.

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7.3 Intake of CO2 and H2O by plants (Pg 132 txtbk)
Raw materials (H2O + CO2)

Entry of H2O +
Entry of CO2 mineral salts
Light
CO2 in leaf < CO2 in atm Veins in leaf
Form
Diffusion gradient forms Fine branches ending among
mesophyll cells
Contains
Atm CO2  stomata 
system of air spaces Xylem Phloem

CO2  dissolves in thin film Transport H2O + mineral salts

of H2O on surface of soil  root  leaf
mesophyll cells
Thru mesophyll of leaf

Diffuse from cell to cell

Dissolved CO2  diffuses
into cells

6CO2
12H2O

7.4 Function of chlorophyll

• Function of chlorophyll
o Absorb light energy  convert to chemical energy
Light
o 12H2O  6O2 + 24H (Light-Dependent Stage)

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 o Process is called photolysis= photo: light, lysis: breaking up of
water molecules.

o The oxygen coming from RHS of the equation comes from H2O

7.5 Uses of Carbohydrates (txtbk pg 125)

Glucose in
Green Leaves

7.6 Cellular & Tissue structure of a dicotyledonous leaf (txtbk

pg 128-129)

7.6.1 Internal Structure of the Leaf Lamina

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 7.6.2 Adaptations of Leaf to photosynthesis
Structure
Large surface area
Thin Lamina
Chloroplasts found in all
mesophyll cells
More chloroplasts in upper
palisade tissue
Inter-connecting system of air
spaces in mesophyll
Stomata present in epidermal
layers
Veins containing xylem and
phloem
Petiole (Leaf stalk)
Adaptation
Absorb maximum light energy
• Allows CO2 to reach inner cells rapidly.
• Enables sunlight to reach all
mesophyll cells.
Chlorophyll absorbs and converts light
energy to chemical energy used to
manufacture sugars.
More light energy can be absorbed near leaf
surface.
Allows rapid diffusion of CO2 to mesophyll
cells.
Open in sunlight, allowing CO2 to diffuse in
and O2 to diffuse out of leaf.
Xylem
• Transports water and mineral salts to
mesophyll cells
Phloem
• Transports sugars away from leaf
Holds leaf in position to absorb maximum
light energy
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#7.7 Effect of lack of minerals on plant growth (not in new
syllabus 5100-2008)

Mineral Importance Effect of lack of mineral

Nitrates Essential for synthesis • Poor plant growth
of proteins, • Leaves are few and pale green
protoplasm, enzymes, • Seedlings eventually die
nucleic acids
Magnesium Essential constituent • Chlorophyll cannot be synthesized
of chlorophyll • Chlorosis
• Yellow pigment deposited  leaves turn yellow