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Autotrophic Nutrition
Autotrophic Nutrition
AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION
Autotrophic (Greek: auto – ‘self’; trophic – ‘feeding’) organisms take in inorganic carbon e.g. carbon dioxide and
energy, to form complex organic compounds.
Types of Autotrophs
(1) Phototrophs - organisms which synthesize organic compounds using light energy. e.g. all green plants, algae,
cyanobacteria, blue-green bacteria, green sulphur bacteria, purple sulphur bacteria, colourless sulphur bacteria.
(2) Chemotrophs - organisms which synthesize organic compounds using energy extracted from oxidation of inorganic
chemicals by the process called chemosynthesis e.g. Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter
CHEMOSYNTHESIS
Chemosynthesis: chemical process in which inorganic chemicals are oxidized to provide energy to living organisms for
the synthesis of organic compounds.
Chemosynthetic bacteria Substrate Main product Habitat
Nitrosomonas and Nitrococcus Ammonium (NH4+) Nitrite (NO2-) Soil
- -
Nitrobacter Nitrite (NO2 ) Nitrate ((NO3 ) Soil
Thiobacillus Sulphur (H2S) Sulphate (SO42-) Decaying organic matter
Ferrobacillus / Iron bacteria Ferrous (Fe2+) Ferric (Fe3+) Streams flowing over iron rocks
Hydrogenomonas Hydrogen (H2) Water (H2O) Soil
Importance of chemosynthesis
The chemical activities of the organisms involved bring about nutrient cycling; for example:
Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria are involved in nitrification in plants.
Thiobacillus catalyse the conversion of sulphur containing compounds to sulphates which are directly useful to plants.
Nitrobacter
HNO2 + O2 HNO3 + energy (22 kcals)
Thiobacillus
H2S + 2O2 SO42- + 2H+ + Energy
The chemosynthetic bacteria utilize the energy from the chemical oxidation of inorganic chemicals to synthesize organic
compounds, some of which are subsequently oxidized in respiration to yield energy for metabolism.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
It is the formation of complex organic substances inside the cell containing chlorophyll from carbon dioxide and water
using sunlight energy.
Importance of photosynthesis
1. It is the means by which the sun’s energy is captured by plants for use by all organisms.
2. It provides a source of complex organic molecules for heterotrophic organisms.
3. It releases oxygen for use by aerobic organisms.
4. It reduces on gaseous carbon dioxide, which would accumulate in the atmosphere to cause green house effect.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Adaptations for gas entry and exit Adaptations for liquid entry and exit
1. Numerous stomata are present in the epidermis of leaves 1. A large central midrib containing a large vascular
to enable entry and exit of gases. bundle comprising xylem and phloem tissue is possessed
2. The guard cells bordering stomata pores can be opened by most dicotyledonous leaves for the entry and transport
and closed to regulate the uptake of carbon dioxide and the of water and mineral salts, and the phloem for carrying
loss of water. away sugar solution, usually in the form of sucrose.
3. Spongy mesophyll possesses many airspaces to enable 2. A network of small veins is found throughout the leaf to
faster and uninterrupted diffusion of gases between the ensure that every cell is close to xylem vessel or phloem
atmosphere and the palisade mesophyll which wouldn’t sieve tube for constant supply of water for photosynthesis
happen if the gases were to diffuse through the cells and a means of removing the sugars they produce.
themselves, a process which would be much slower.
CHLOROPLAST STRUCTURE
Chloroplast shape and size vary from
Granum Outer membrane
biconvex in higher plants with length of ~5
µm to filamentous in algae, spherical, ovoid, Inner membrane
etc. Thylakoid
It is enclosed by an envelope of double Intergrana
membranes; outer membrane is semi- lamella
permeable.
Inner membrane surrounds the stroma, Stroma
regulates entry and exit of materials to the
chloroplast, and is a manufacturing centre for
fatty acids, lipids and carotenoids. Starch grain 70S ribosome
Lipid globule
Intermembrane space is narrow, ~10 nm-
20 nm in between the outer and inner Adaptations of chloroplast for its functions
membranes. Outer membrane is semi- permeable to regulate entry and exit of
Stroma is semi-gel-like fluid, alkaline, rich substances for maintaining internal chloroplast environment.
in protein (e.g. enzymes), with chloroplast Abundant light trapping pigments for photosynthesis
DNA, 70S ribosomes, starch granules, lipid Abundant enzymes catalyse photosynthetic reactions in the stroma.
Extensive network of thylakoid membranes increase surface area for
globules and thylakoid membrane system.
photosynthesis.
Thylakoids are interconnected, Narrow intermembrane space enables H+ ion concentration gradient to
membranous sacs, with chlorophyll in the be rapidly established for chemiosmosis to occur
membranes. Inner membrane contains molecules for electron transport pathway
At intervals, thylakoids form piles (~10- DNA presence codes for protein synthesis, including enzymes.
20) known as grana. Many ribosomes for protein synthesis to reduce on importing proteins
from cytoplasm.
Outer membrane is permeable to gases like carbon dioxide which is a
raw material for photosynthesis.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
Electromagnetic radiation is a form of energy transmitted through a vacuum (empty space) or a medium (such as glass)
in which electric and magnetic fields are propagated as waves.
The electromagnetic spectrum
consists of eight types of
radiations:
(1) Cosmic rays (2) gamma rays
(3) x-rays (4) ultra-violet rays (5)
visible light spectrum (6) infrared
rays (7) electric rays and (8) radio
rays.
NATURE OF LIGHT
Visible light is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum between the wavelengths of 400 nm and 740 nm, known as the
photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
4. PHOTOSYNTHETIC PIGMENTS
Chlorophylls and carotenoids absorb light energy required in photosynthesis.
Carotenoids also protect chlorophyll from photo damage.
Chlorophyll b and carotenoids are accessory pigments i.e. they hand over energy absorbed to chlorophyll a.
Chlorophyll belongs to a class of organic compounds called porphyrins which have 4 pyrrole rings.
Other porphyrins are haem and the cytochromes.
However, Chlorophyll contains magnesium atom instead of iron.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
NB: The phytol tail anchors and orients the chlorophyll molecule in
the chloroplast’s thylakoid membrane
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Observations Explanation
The action spectrum of photosynthesis corresponds closely This indicates that most of the wavelengths of light
to the absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b. absorbed by chlorophyll are used in photosynthesis.
There is non-correspondence of action spectrum of This is because it is at ‘X’ where there is maximum
photosynthesis with absorption spectra at point marked ‘X’ absorption by carotenoids, which are not used in
photosynthesis.
The wave lengths of about 550 nm to 620 nm have the The unabsorbed (reflected light) appears green, thus
lowest absorption and action spectra for all the making chlorophyll, the chloroplasts and the leaves that
photosynthetic pigments. contain it appear green to our eye.
There are two absorption maxima of lambda = 430 nm and This shows that chlorophyll a as well as b are the
lambda = 662 nm for chlorophyll a, and 453 nm and 642 nm main photosynthetic pigments, however, photosynthesis
for chlorophyll b, but only one maximum for carotenoids at also occurs in the mid part of light spectrum where
about 510 nm. carotenoids are active.
The action spectrum peaks within the blue-violet and red This shows that maximum photosynthesis occurs in red
regions of the light spectrum. part and blue-violet part of visible light.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Chlorophyll a absorption in red light is about twice that of chlorophyll b and the absorption peak is at a slightly longer
wavelength (lower energy)
Absorption of chlorophyll a in the blue is lower and shifted to a slightly shorter wavelength (higher energy).
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
MECHANISM OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Photosynthesis is an oxidation-reduction process, in which water is oxidized to release oxygen and carbon dioxide is
reduced to form carbohydrates.
PHASES OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
[1] Light stage (Photochemical reactions or Hill reaction) [2] Dark stage (Biochemical reactions).
NOTE
The loss of 2 electrons by the chlorophylls in the photosystems bleaches the chlorophyll molecule. In this state, it can no
longer absorb light energy effectively. Therefore, the electrons lost to the electron transfer chain must be replaced.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Differences
NON-CYCLIC PHOTOPHORYLATION CYCLIC PHOTOPHORYLATION
Electrons flow unidirectionally (non-cyclically) Electrons flow cyclically
First electron donor is (source of electrons) water First electron donor is pigment system I (PSI)
Last electron acceptor is NADP Last electron acceptor is pigment system I (PSI)
The products are ATP, NADPH and Oxygen The product is ATP only
Involves both pigment systems I and II Involves only pigment system I
Photolysis of water occurs No photolysis of water
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
WHAT IS PHOTORESPIRATION?
Oxygenation of RuBP by RuBP oxygenase (RUBP carboxylase) at high temperature, low carbon dioxide and high
oxygen concentration to form phosphoglycolate which undergoes oxidation in peroxisomes and metabolism in
mitochondria to release CO2, thereby preventing carbon fixation in C3 plants.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Advantages Disadvantage
C4 plants ably photosynthesize at very low CO2 concentration (e.g. in dense tropical
vegetation) because PEP carboxylase enzyme has a very high affinity for carbon dioxide. The CO2 fixing enzymes
Concentric arrangement of mesophyll cell produces a smaller area in relation to volume in C4 plants are less active at
for better utilization of available water and reduce the intensity of solar radiations. cool, moist and low
Photorespiration, which inhibits growth in C3 plants is avoided / reduced in C4 because illumination conditions,
(1) the CO2 fixing enzyme PEP carboxylase does not accept oxygen (2) RUBISCO enzyme therefore photosynthesis
inside the bundle sheath cells is shielded from high oxygen concentration by the ring of occurs slowly at high
palisade cells. altitude with cool
The CO2 fixing enzymes in C4 plants are more active at hot temperature and high temperature and in low light
illumination, therefore photosynthesis occurs rapidly at low altitude, hot and brightly lit intensity of temperate
tropical conditions than in C3 plants. conditions.
The productivity of C4 almost four times greater than in C3 because: NB: C4 plants grow better under
hot, dry conditions when plants
(1) of the increased rate of CO2 uptake caused by (i) large internal leaf surface area (ii) short
must close their stomata to
CO2 diffusion distance (iii) CO2 steep diffusion gradients conserve water – with stomata
(2) the bundle sheath cells in which dark reactions occur have (i) a large photosynthetic closed, CO2 levels in the interior of
surface area enabled by un-usually large chloroplasts (ii) lack of grana on which O 2 would the leaf fall, and O2 levels rise
be produced, so no photorespiration.
(3) the Palisade cells in which light reactions occur have large grana to increase the
photosynthetic surface area.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
QUESTION:
In spite of the higher productivity of C4, which is almost four times greater than in C3, majority of plants perform C3
photosynthesis. Explain this statement fully.
CO2 concentration is a major factor determining the pathway of carbon dioxide fixation.
While C4 plants are more productive at low CO2 concentration, C3 plants form the dominant plant life
because they are effective at high CO2, whose concentration is high in most environments and steadily
increases due to increasing combustion of fossil fuels.
Also considering that C4 photosynthesis is more complex i.e. it involves many reactions both in bundle
sheath cells and in mesophyll cell, and requires a specialized Kranz anatomy, most plants have simpler
structures.
Therefore, unless water loss is a significant issue, C3 dominate since C3 photosynthesis is more effective.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Cuvettes are set up with the contents as listed below and monitored by a spectrophotometer
Cuvette 1 (leaf extract + DCPIP covered by aluminium foil)
Cuvette 2 (no leaf extract / boiled leaf extract + DCPIP + exposure to light)
Cuvette 3 (leaf extract + exposure to light + no DCPIP).
Cuvette 4 (leaf extract + DCPIP + Exposure to light).
(vi)When the DCPIP is added to the extracts, shake the Cuvette and note the time.
(vii)Time how long it takes to decolourise the DCPIP in each tube.
Sample results
Absorbance (arbitrary units)
Time (sec) Cuvette 1 (Dark) Cuvette 2 (No chloroplasts) Cuvette 3 (No DCPIP) Cuvette 4 (All conditions)
0 1.08 1.37 0.80 1.07
20 1.06 1.37 0.80 0.90
40 1.06 1.37 0.80 0.81
60 1.06 1.37 0.80 0.71
80 1.05 1.37 0.80 0.57
100 1.05 1.37 0.80 0.47
On same axes, the results in the table above can be reflected graphically.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
CONCLUSIONS
Cuvette 1: Light is necessary for DCPIP reduction.
Cuvette 2: Chloroplasts are necessary for reduction of DCPIP.
Cuvette 3: Chloroplasts do not affect the changes in absorption of the DCPIP solution.
Cuvette 4: Light is necessary for the release of electrons from live chloroplasts. UNDERWATER
Cuvettes 1, 2, 3 work as control experiments. PHOTOSYNTHESIS
If transmittance is used, the results can be reflected graphically as shown below Major photosynthetic
challenges under water
(i) reduced carbon
dioxide diffusion rate,
which is overcome by
supplementary use of
HCO3− (bicarbonate
ions)
(ii) low light penetration
with depth.
The rate of light
penetration in a body of
water depends on
suspended substances
and the turbidity of the
water.
Turbidity greatly
FACTORS WHICH AFFECT PHOTOSYNTHESIS affects the penetration of
(1) carbondioxide concentration (2) Light intensity (3) Temperature (4) Chlorophyll concentrationlight(5)
in oxygen
aquatic
concentration (6) Water and dissolved nutrients (7) Enzyme inhibitors e.g. cyanide, dichlorophenyl
environments urea
dimethyl by –
DCMU (8) Some air pollutants e.g. Sulphur dioxide (9) Altitude (10) Salinity absorbing and scattering
light.
THE PRINCIPLE OF LIMITING FACTORS Heavy growth of
It states that: ‘At any given moment, the rate of a chemical process is limited by the one factorphytoplankton
which is nearest its the
blocks
minimum value, and by that factor alone’ light very effectively.
Graph illustrating the concept of limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis Untreated, raw
sewage adds suspended
solids when dropped in
Salinity water, which block
One of the major effects
effective of salinity is
light
osmotic stress, and henceinthere
penetration are
water.
intimate relationships to drought stress
or ‘water stress’. This results in stomata
closure in an effort to avoid desiccation,
which reduces photosynthesis because
uptake of CO2 reduces.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Chlorophyll Concentration
The concentration of chlorophyll affects the rate of reaction as they absorb the light energy without which the reactions
cannot proceed.
Temperature
An optimum temperature ranging from 25 oC to 35oC is required. At temperatures around 0oC the enzymes stop working
and at very high temperatures the enzymes are denatured.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
Water: In response to drying, leaves close their stomata to conserve water being lost as water vapour through them.
Pollution: Soot blocks stomata and reduce the transparency of the leaves, which reduces photosynthesis.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
RESPONSE OF LEAF DISCS FROM SUN AND SHADE PLANTS TO GREEN LIGHT
Several leaf discs from a sun plant and a shade plant are put in two separate 10 cm3 capacity syringes containing
sodium hydrogen carbonate solution (source of carbon dioxide).
The air is sucked out of them so that they sink, then they are illuminated with white light.
As they photosynthesise, the oxygen produced makes them re-float, while the time taken to rise is noted.
Calculate the average time for the leaf discs to float
The experiment is repeated, this time covering the syringes with a green filter, so that the discs are illuminated with
green light and the time taken for leaf discs to rise is noted again.
Calculate the average time for the leaf discs to float as before.
OBSERVATION:
(1) Leaf discs from shade plants eventually float, an indicator that they are able to use green light for photosynthesis.
(2) Leaf discs from sun plants sink at bottom of the container which indicates that they cannot use green light to
photosynthesise.
NOTE
1. Time taken for leaf discs to float can thus be used as an indirect measure of the rate of photosynthesis i.e. the more
quickly flotation occurs, the faster the rate of photosynthesis.
2. The experimental results mimic the conditions in the plant’s natural habitat i.e. the sun plant in the canopy receives
white light and absorb the blue and red light from it in order to photosynthesise while the shade plant receives light that
has already passed through the canopy, . In order to photosynthesise it absorbs many other wavelengths of light,
including green.
EXAMPLE
In an investigation of photosynthesis, the rate of carbon dioxide absorption by leaves of two plants, barley and sugar
cane, was measured. The leaves were provided with air, moving at a constant rate, through an apparatus shown below:
EXPERMENTAL CONDITIONS
Light intensity was kept constant and
high, equivalent to full sunlight.
Concentration of CO2 in air entering
the apparatus could be varied.
The carbon dioxide taken up or given
out by the leaves was determined by
calculating the difference between the
concentration in the inflowing and
outflowing air.
Leaves remained attached to the
plants during the investigation.
Two different temperatures, 10 °C
and 25 °C, were used for each type of
plant.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
(a) For each plant species, describe the observed carbon dioxide uptake / release at the different temperatures (11 marks)
(b) Explain the observed carbon dioxide uptake / release in the two species at the different temperatures. (08 marks)
(c) Explain why all the measurements were made at the same light intensity.
(d) Suggest why it was important that the leaves remained attached to the plants while the measurements were made.
(e) Compare the response of the two species, sugar cane and barley, to differences in carbon dioxide concentration and
temperature.
NOTE: CO2 uptake can also be measured by following the uptake of carbon dioxide labelled with 14C
Production of carbohydrates
This is a crude method where a disc is cut out of one side of a leaf (using a cork borer against a rubber bung) and
weighed after drying. Some weeks later, a disk is cut out of the other half of the leaf, dried and weighed. Increase in
mass of the disc is an indication of the extra mass that has been stored in the leaf.
However, you can probably think of several inaccuracies in this method.
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
(1) A light source is placed 50 cm away facing the test tube, is powered on and a 5 minutes lapse is allowed to enable the
plant adjust to the light intensity.
(2) The length of gas bubble evolved in 10 second, 30 second, and 1 minute intervals is measured by pulling the syringe
plunger to draw the bubble slowly along the capillary tube.
(3) Steps 1 and 2 are repeated with the light source placed at 40 cm from the test tube with the plant, then 30 cm, 20 cm,
and finally 10 cm.
(4) Lastly the control experiment involves using natural room lighting and repeating the above steps.
Observation / results Explanation
A colorless gas which relights a glowing splint evolves The gas is oxygen released from Photosynthetic
from the cut end of the plant. reactions.
The rate of gas evolution is directly proportional to light This is because of the increased light intensity which
intensity up to a certain illumination i.e. the closer the light provides more energy for photo-activation of electron
source is to the plant, the more oxygen bubbles evolve up flow.
to a certain light intensity then remains relatively constant Increased illumination may not cause any further
and may decrease. evolution of oxygen because (1) of light saturation (2)
Determination of amount of gas released other factors limit the process
a) if scale is marked in mm3 or cm3: read volume directly Increased illumination may cause a decrease in bubble
b) if scale is marked in mm: calculate volume from πr 2h evolution because chlorophyll gets bleached with
π=3.14, r=capillary tube radius, h=distance bubble covers increased illumination.
NOTE:
Instead of measuring the length of bubble, bubbles can be counted, but this has several disadvantages (1) Some bubbles may not be
seen due to variations in size, which can be avoided by adding a little detergent to lower the surface tension (2) Bubbles may evolve
very fast to be counted, especially in much illumination.
The percentage of oxygen in the evolved gas is only about 40% because of dilution by (1) dissolved N2 or other gases released from
solution and (2) CO2 which had accumulated from respiration, and is first displaced into the capillary tubing, especially if the plant
had been kept in the dark
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Five small discs cut from spinach leaves were floated on a small volume of buffered hydrogen carbonate solution in a flask attached
to a respirometer. The discs were first exposed to bright light, then to dim light and finally left in the dark. Oxygen release was
recorded as positive values and oxygen uptake as negative values as given in the table below.
Light intensity Time interval in minutes Oxygen uptake or release in mm3 (a) Present the data in a suitable graphical form
0–3 +57 (b) (i) Calculate the mean rate of oxygen release
3–6 +64 in bright light
Bright light
6–9 +58 (ii) Explain the significance of the results obtained
9 – 12 +60 from this experiment.
12 – 15 +16 (c) Explain the use of the following in the
Dim light
15 – 18 +3 experiment above:
(i) Five small leaf discs, not one.
18 – 21 - 16
(ii) Hydrogen carbonate solution
21 – 24 - 12
Dark (iii) Buffered hydrogen carbonate solution
24 – 27 - 15
27 – 30 - 14
2. In an experiment, samples of algae were collected at 1-minute intervals over a period of 5 minutes. The quantities of
glycerate-3-phosphate (GP) and ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) were measured. At the beginning of the experiment, the
concentration of carbondioxide supplied was high. After 2 minutes, the concentration of carbondioxide was reduced. The
graph in the figure below shows the results of this experiment.
3. Experiments on cultures of a unicellular protist to investigate the effect of light and carbon dioxide on certain
metabolites. In the first experiment, the levels of PGA, RuBP and sucrose in the protest were determined at different time
intervals in the presence of light. At the 35th minute, light was switched off, suddenly putting the protists in darkness; the
results are shown in the table below
Time (minutes) 0 20 35 40 50 60 70
Amount of RuBP 35 35 35 30 15 10 10
metabolite PGA 45 45 45 50 65 70 70
Sucrose 10 54 72 66 52 35 20
(a) Represent the data provided graphically
(b) Using the graph obtained in (a) above, explain the variation in the levels of the metabolites with time
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AUTOTROPHIC NUTRITION ǁ Author: DONGO SHEMA FREDERICK ǁ JUNE 2016 ǁ +256 700 484 161
4. The rate of photosynthesis of Digitaria bipartite, a C4 plant and Astropa belladonna, a C3 plant was investigated
under different intracellular carbon dioxide concentrations. The results are shown in the table below
Carbon dioxide concentration Rate of photosynthesis (mol of CO2 assimilated per m2 of leaf area per second)
3
(ml per dm ) Digitaria bipartite Digitaria bipartite
0 0.0 0.0
25 12.5 0.0
50 35.0 5.0
75 37.5 14.0
100 37.5 25.0
150 37.5 40.0
200 37.5 47.5
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