Organisms need carbon to make all sorts of biological molecules including lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Just like we saw with nitrogen and phosphorus, carbon is transferred around ecosystems in a cycle called the carbon cycle. The carbon cycle The Earth's atmosphere is about 0.04% carbon dioxide (CO2), which is where we will start the carbon... Continue Reading →
Limiting Factors – Photosynthesis Ep 3
The environmental conditions must be just right for photosynthesis to take place at the fastest possible rate. Today we're going to take a look at how light intensity, temperature and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration can affect and limit the rate of photosynthesis. They will also affect plant growth, because photosynthesis produces glucose for respiration. Plants... Continue Reading →
Light-Independent Reaction – Photosynthesis Ep 2
In the last article we left photosynthesis at a point where ATP, reduced NADP, and oxygen had been produced in the light-dependent reaction. Oxygen is a waste product of photosynthesis, however the ATP and reduced NADP are used for the light-independent reaction. So although light energy isn't specifically needed for any reaction in this next... Continue Reading →
Light-Dependent Reaction – Photosynthesis Ep 1
Photosynthesis is the process used by plants and other photosynthetic organisms to make their own glucose. The glucose can then go on to be used in respiration, stored as starch, or used in other reactions. Photosynthesis requires light energy, but it is actually only the first stage which is light-dependent. We will focus on the... Continue Reading →
Chloroplasts – Cell Organelles Ep 4
So far, all the organelles we have looked at (the nucleus, mitochondria, ribosomes and RER) are found in both animal and plant cells. Today's organelle, the chloroplasts, are only found in plant cells and some eukaryotic algae. The main function of chloroplasts is to carry out photosynthesis - the reaction that uses light energy to... Continue Reading →
