What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
Chlorophyll is the key pigment in photosynthesis that captures sunlight. It converts this light energy into chemical energy by exciting electrons, which are then transferred through a series of reactions. This process produces ATP and NADPH, essential for powering the Calvin cycle to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, vital for plant growth and energy.
Chlorophyll:
- A pigment molecule found within chloroplasts
- Gives plants their green color
How does the Calvin Cycle relate to photosynthesis?
The Calvin Cycle is the light-independent phase of photosynthesis where carbon dioxide is converted into glucose using the energy produced in the light-dependent reactions.
Who was K.J. McCree and what was his contribution to plant science?
K.J. McCree was a plant physiologist who demonstrated that the number of photons (light quanta) is a better measure of photosynthetic efficiency than energy.
What is the basic equation for photosynthesis?
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
What does PAR stand for in plant cultivation?
PAR stands for Photosynthetically Active Radiation, which is the spectral range of solar radiation from 400 to 700 nanometers that plants use for photosynthesis.
Is PPF the same as PAR?
PAR stands for Photosynthetic Active Radiation which is defined as photons emitted between the wavelength of 400 and 700 nanometres.
PPF stands for Photosynthetic Photon Flux and measures the amount of photons within the PAR Area. PPF is the toatal amount of light emmited by the light source (µmol/s)
What is the difference between PPF and PPFD?
PPF stands for Photosynthetic photon flux and ppfd for the density. PPF with the unit µmol/s (micromole per second) describes the total amount of photons emitted by a light-source. PPFD measures the light intensity on a surface. PPFD is PPF divided by the Area. (PPF/A | µmol/m²s)
