First Year Course Outline 2004-2005

Photosynthesis

2.8.1 State that photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy.

2.8.2 State that white light from the sun is composed of a range of wavelengths (colors). 2.8.3 State that chlorophyll is the main photosynthetic pigment.

2.8.4 Outline the differences in absorption of red, blue and green light by chlorophyll.

2.8.5 State that light energy is used to split water molecules (photolysis) to give oxygen and hydrogen, and to produce ATP.

2.8.6 State that ATP and hydrogen (derived from the photolysis of water) are used to fix carbon dioxide to make organic molecules.

2.8.7 Explain that the rate of photosynthesis can be measured directly by the production of oxygen or the uptake of carbon dioxide, or indirectly by the increase in biomass.

2.8.8 Outline the effects of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis.

7.2.1 Draw (and label) the structure of a chloroplast as seen in electron micrographs.

7.2.2 State that photosynthesis consists of light-dependent and light-independent reactions.

7.2.3 Explain the light-dependent reactions.

7.2.4 Explain photophosphorylation in terms of chemiosmosis.

7.2.5 Explain the light-independent reactions.

7.2.6 Explain the relationship between the structure of the chloroplast and its function.

7.2.7 Draw the action spectrum of photosynthesis.

7.2.8 Explain the relationship between the action spectrum and the absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments in green plants.

7.2.9 Explain the concept of limiting factors with reference to light intensity, temperature and concentration of carbon dioxide.