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Photosynthesis - Coggle Diagram
Photosynthesis
Photosynthetic pigments
Molecules that absorb light energy in the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Different pigments absorb a different range of wavelengths - other wavelengths are reflected
E.g Chlorophyll a - contain porphyrin head (contains Mg atoms. When a photon of light is absorbed, one e- in Mg becomes excited), and a hydrocarbon tail (anchors the chlorophyll in the membrane)
A plant growing in soil lacking magnesium would have less chlorophyll synthesised so reduced light absorption for photosynthesis leading to poor growth
Other examples of photosynthetic pigments include chlorophyll b, and carotenoids
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Compensation points
Light intensity at which the rate of photosynthesis = rate of respiration so there's no net uptake of CO2
Plants only increase biomass if the rate of photosynthesis exceeds the rate of respiration. Compensation point is exceeded for a longer period of day length increases
Plants that live in different conditions have different compensation points - plants that live in low light reach their compensation point at lower light intensities. Sun plants can achieve higher rates of photosynthesis at higher light intensities
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