6.

9
MACRONUTRIENTS
&
MICRONUTRIENTS IN
PLANTS

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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
LARGE quantities
Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen,
Phosphorous, Potassium (Kalium),
Calcium, Magnesium & Sulphur.

MICROnutrients : needed in SMALL

quantities.
Boron, Molybdenum, Zinc,
Manganese, Copper & Ferum

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(NO3)2
0.8g
Potassium nitrate, KNO3
0.2g
Potassium dihydrogen phosphate, KH2PO4 0.2g
Magnesium sulphate, MgSO4
0.2g
Ferum (III) phosphate, FePO4
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.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

The biochemical process which

light energy is absorbed by
chlorophyll, and is used to
synthesis of sugar molecules

The process where organic

compounds are synthesised from
water & carbon dioxide in the
presence of sunlight & chlorophyll.

STRUCTURE & FUNCTION OF THE PARTS

OF A LEAF

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

6.11:
THE MECHANISM
OF
PHOTOSYNTHESI
S

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 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 (gellike matrix contain enzymes) CO2 is
reduced to carbohydrate in a process
called fixation of CO2 (reduction of CO2)

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)

LIGHT REACTION

sunlight 24H+

24H2O

+ 24OH-

chlorophyl
l

The hydrogen ions combine with the

electrons released by chlorophyll to form
hydrogen atoms

24H

The hydrogen atom are used in dark

reaction to reduce CO2.

24 electrons 24H

LIGHT REACTION

Each hydroxyl ion loses an electron

to the chlorophyll hydroxyl
groups combine together to
form H2O & O2

24OH- 24OH + 24 electrons

24OH 12H2O + 6O2

LIGHT REACTION

Oxygen is released into the

atmosphere & later used for cellular
respiration

Energy released from the excited

electrons is used to form ATP

The ATP molecules and hydrogen

atom (24 H) then move to the stroma
to provide energy and reducing
power respectively (dark reaction)

DARK REACTION

Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast

Hydrogen atoms from light reaction

react with carbon dioxide and produce
glucose (CH2O) reduction of CO2 to
glucose

Involves a series of complex chemical

reactions which require enzymes
6CO2 + 24H 6(CH2O) + 6H2O

DARK REACTION

Six units of (CH2O) combine together

to form a molecule of glucose

6(CH2O) C6H12O6

6H2O +6CO2 sunlight

chlorophyl
6O2

C6H12O6 +

Glucose is converted into starch,

cellulose, sucrose & lipids. When
combined with nitrogen protein

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

LETS SING!PHOT

OSYNTHESIS

6. 12 :
FACTORS
AFFECTING
PHOTOSYNTHESI
S

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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 CO2

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 (light intensity), not enough

to increase the rate of photosynthesis

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.

TEMPERATURE
The

rate of photosynthesis increases as the

temperature increase enzymes more
active
Optimum

temp. is between 30oC to 35oC

>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

Compensation point the rate of carbon

dioxide produced by cellular respiration
EQUALS to the rate of carbon dioxide used in
photosynthesis .

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

40oC, 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
maximum.

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

6.15 :
TECHNOLOGICAL
DEVELOPMENT IN
FOOD
PROCESSING

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)