CHAPTER 6 : NUTRITION

6.9 Macronutrients &

Micronutrients in Plants
List elements required by
plants,
Classify elements required
by plants based on the
amount needed,
Relate the effects of
macronutrient deficiency in
plants.
Explain the function of each
macronutrient in plants,
State the function of
micronutrients & effects of
micronutrient deficiency in
plants.
MACROnutrients : needed in
LARGER quantities
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Phosphorous, Potassium (Kalium),
Calcium, Magnesium & Sulphur.
MICROnutrients : needed in
SMALLER quantities.
Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc,
Manganese, Copper & Ferum
Table 1
Wilhelm Knop (scientist) successfully prepared a solution which can provide a
plant with all the nutrients it needs
The solution is known as Knops Solution.
Calcium nitrate, Ca(NO
3
)
2
0.8g
Potassium nitrate, KNO
3
0.2g
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH
2
PO
4
0.2g
Magnesium sulphate, MgSO
4
0.2g
Ferum (III) phosphate, FePO
4
Trace
Distilled water 1 litre
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Describe the development that leads to
the discovery of photosynthesis,
State the substances required for
photosynthesis,
State the substances produced from
photosynthesis,
Draw & label the cross section of leaf
State the function of each part of the
leaf with respect to photosynthesis,
Explain leaf adaptation to optimise
photosynthesis,
Explain how plants from different
habitats are adapted to carry out
photosynthesis.
The Discovery of Photosynthesis
1692 Dutch scientist, Van Helmont carried out
an investigation to study the nutrition of plants.
He filled a big pot with exactly 91kg of dry soil
planted a plant (2.4kg) the surface covered
with a metal sheet with small holes to allow
water to enter Van watered the plants for 5
years consistently plant (increased to 75kg),
soil (decreased by 0.057kg)
Van Helmont concluded that the increase in
weight of the plant came from the water & not
the soil.
The Discovery of Photosynthesis
1772 Joseph Priestly carried out an
experiment using mouse, candle & plants.
The plant had changed the air in the container.
1770s Jan Ingenhouse discovered that a plant
could only change the air container if there was
light. He also discovered that only the green
parts of the plant were able to do so. (light &
chlorophyll both play a part in photosynthesis0
1780s Jean Senebier showed that the plants
gave out oxygen when they were provided with
CO
2
The biochemical process through
which light energy is absorbed
by chlorophyll, and is used to
fuel the synthesis of sugar
molecules

The process where organic
compounds are synthesised from
water & carbon dioxide in the
presence of sunlight &
chlorophyll.
Adaptations of Leaf for Optimal
Photosynthesis
The internal structure of a leaf, the shape of a
leaf & the arrangement of leaves on a plants are
all adapted for obtaining optimum light & CO
2
Table 2
The shape of a leaf is also adapted for
photosynthesis. Most leaves are broad & thin.
Large surface area enables the leaf to absorb
maximum light & CO
2
The thinness light & CO
2
need not travel too
far to reach every mesophyll cell
Adaptations of Leaf for
Optimal Photosynthesis
The arrangement of leaves is also
adapted to optimize photosynthesis.

Most plants spread out their leaves in
such a way that there is minimal
overlapping known as leaf mosaic
every leaf can receive sunlight.
ADAPTATION OF PLANTS FROM DIFFERENT HABITATS FOR
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Two main aspects :
The distribution of stomata
The distribution of chloroplasts

Examples :
Hibiscus : land
Water lily : water surface
Hydrilla : in the water
Cactus : desert
To identify the parts of chloroplast
related to photosynthesis,
To explain the light reaction & dark
reaction of photosynthesis,
To compare & contrast light reaction
& dark reaction in photosynthesis,
To relate light reaction with dark
reaction in photosynthesis,
To write an equation to represent
the process of photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
occurs in in the
chloroplasts of
mesophyll cells &
guard cells of the
leaf.
Consist of two part :
stroma & grana
Each granum
contain chlorophyll
that absorb energy
of sunlight

The process of photosynthesis is divided
into two :
Light reaction
Dark reaction
Light reaction : occurs in the granum (contain
chlorophyll) photolysis of water
Dark reaction : occurs in the stroma (gel-like
matrix contain enzymes) CO
2
is reduced to
carbohydrate in a process called fixation of CO
2

(reduction of CO
2
)
LIGHT REACTION
Occurs in granum
Chlorophyll captures light excites the
electrons of chlorophyll to higher level
Light energy is used to split the water molecules
hydroxyl ions + hydrogen ions (photolysis of
water)
4H
2
O 4H
+
+ 4(OH)
-
The hydrogen ions combine with the electrons
released by chlorophyll to from hydrogen atoms
4(H)+ + 4 electrons 4(H)
sunlight
chlorophyll
LIGHT REACTION
The hydrogen atom are used in dark reaction to
reduce CO
2
.
Each hydroxyl ion loses an electron to the
chlorophyll hydroxyl groups combine
together to form H
2
O & O
2
4(OH)
-
- 4 electrons 4(OH)
4(OH) 2H
2
O + O
2
Oxygen is released into the atmosphere & later
used for cellular respiration
Energy released from the excited electrons is
used to form ATP
DARK REACTION
Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast
Hydrogen atoms from light reaction are
used in dark reaction to reduce carbon
dioxide to basic units of glucose (CH
2
O)
Involves a series of complex chemical
reactions which require enzymes
CO
2
+ 4(H) (CH
2
O) + H
2
O
Six units of (CH2O) combine together to
form a molecule of glucose
DARK REACTION
6(CH
2
O) C
6
H
12
O
6
Glucose is converted into starch, cellulose,
sucrose & lipids. When combined with
nitrogen protein
Overall process :
12H
2
O + 6CO
2
C
6
H
12
O
6
+ 6O
2
+ 6H
2
O

Water + carbon dioxide glucose + oxygen + water
sunlight
chlorophyll
sunlight
chlorophyll
COMPARISON OF LIGHT REACTION
& DARK REACTION
LIGHT REACTION DARK REACTION
SIMILARITIES
Both occur in the chloroplast
Both involve chemical reactions
Both are reactions related to photosynthesis
Both occur during the day
DIFFERENCES
Occurs in granum Occurs in stroma
Requires sunlight Does not require sunlight
Involves photolysis of water Involves reduction of carbon dioxide
Produces water & oxygen Produces glucose
Substance required in reaction is
water
Substance required in reaction is
carbon dioxide
Identify the factors affecting the rate
of photosynthesis,
Identify the factor that limits the rate
of photosynthesis at different light
intensities,
Explain the effects of temperature &
concentration of CO2 on the rate of
photosynthesis,
Explain the difference in the rate of
photosynthesis in plants throughout the
day based on the changes in light
intensity & temperature,
Identify some ways to meet the need of
increasing the productivity of crops
based on factors affecting the rate of
photosynthesis.
CONCENTRATION OF CO
2
Conc. of CO2 in the
atmosphere varies between
0.03% to 0.04%
Light intensity & temperature
are kept constant the rate
of photosynthesis increases
until a saturation point is reach
After this point, any further
increase in the conc. of CO2
has no effect on the rate of
photosynthesis
Limited by other factors (light
intensity), not enough to
increase the rate of
photosynthesis
Effect of concentration of CO2 on the
rate of photosynthesis
0
2
4
6
8
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
concentration of CO2
r
a
t
e

o
f

p
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
s
i
s
LIGHT INTENSITY

Temperature &
concentration of CO2 are
kept constant, the rate of
photosynthesis can be
increased by increasing the
light intensity up to the light
saturation point.
After this point, any further
increase in light intensity
has no effect on the rate of
photosynthesis (limiting
factor : CO2 conc.)
Can be increased by
increasing the CO2 conc.
Effect of light intensity on the rate of
photosynthesis at different levels of
CO2 concentration
0
2
4
6
8
10
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
light intensity
r
a
t
e

o
f

p
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
s
i
s
karbon dioksida t inggi
karbon dioksida rendah
TEMPERATURE
Dark reaction involves
enzymes
The rate of photosynthesis
increases as the temperature
increase enzymes more
active
Optimum temp. is between
30
o
C to 35
o
C
>40oC, the rate of reaction
decrease enzymes
denatured photosynthesis
stops
If the light intensity is too low,
any increase in temperature
will not increase the rate of
photosynthesis
Effect of temperature on the rate of
photosynthesis at different light intensity
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
temperature
r
a
t
e

o
f

p
h
o
t
o
s
y
n
t
h
e
s
i
s
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE RATE OF
PHOTOSYNTHESIS THROUGHOUT THE
DAY WITH THE CHANGES IN LIGHT
INTENSITY & TEMPERATURE
Closely related & change throughout the
day
Light intensity high, the temperature is
also high.
Tropical country, LI & T are at their
maximum at noon time. The rate of
photosynthesis is also maximum.
If temperature increases above 40
o
C, the rate of
photosynthesis decreases.
In temperate country (4 seasons), LI & T change
throughout the year.
Winter : LI & T are very low. Photosynthesis
hardly occurs
Autumn : the rate of photosynthesis is at its
lowest plants shed their leaves & light
intensity as well as the temperature are very low
Summer : LI & T are at their optimum level for
photosynthesis, the rate of photosynthesis is at
its max.
Summer is the best time for agricultural
To overcome the problem, the plants need
to be planted in greenhouse.
In a greenhouse, the conc. of carbon
dioxide, temperature & light intensity are at
optimum levels for photosynthesis.
The rate of photosynthesis is at its
maximum throughout the year, ensure the
crop production throughout the year.
6.13 Practising a Caring Attitude
Towards Plants
Must be thankful to plants & practise a caring
attitude towards them
Why?
Plants produce food as a source of energy for
us, maintaining the oxygen & carbon dioxide
content in atmosphere
Without plants, there will be more CO2 & less
O2 in the atmosphere cause global warming
Not destroy forests @ chop down plants
indiscriminately. Should grow more plants
around us.
6.14 Technology in Food
Production
To improve the quality & quantity of food
production in Malaysia through :
Direct seeding from rice
Hydroponics & aeroponics
Breeding
Tissue culture
Genetic engineering
Soil management
Biological control
Fresh food can last only for a short time,
easily spoilt.
Need to be processed in order to last
longer
Technology for food processing :
Changing raw food materials to other forms
Adding certain chemical
The necessity for food processing are :
Destroying m/organisms
Extending the lifespan of food
Avoiding food wastage
Diversifying the uses of food, like milk & dairy
products
Ensuring sufficient food supply because
processed food can last longer & they can be
easily sent to places with insufficient food
supply
FOOD PROCESSING
METHODS
Cooking (to kill the bad bacteria)
Using salt, sugar & vinegar (osmosis)
Fermentation process (yeast is used glucose
ethanol + CO2)
Drying (dehydration)
Pasteurisation (heated to certain temp and
rapid cooling)
Canning (sterilised at high temp, above 120oC,
the container is vacuum to kill bacteria,
prevent bacteria from growing)
Refrigeration (slow down the action of
microorganism, temp low to -15oC)