Carbon Dioxide Is Essential for Photosynthesis

Introduction

Photosynthesis is a fundamental biological process that occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, enabling them to convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose and other organic molecules. During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. External factors affecting photosynthesis include light, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and water availability.

Carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis because it serves as the primary source of carbon atoms used to build organic molecules like glucose in plants.

Experiment Procedure

To demonstrate the experiment on carbon dioxide is essential for photosynthesis, we need to follow the given procedure:

Choose a destarched potted plant (e.g., Tecoma, Balsam, Amaranthus, Salvia).
Fill 1/5^th of a boiling tube with KOH solution.
Insert half of an intact leaf into the tube, ensuring it doesn’t touch the solution.
Secure the tube with a clamp, sealing it with petroleum jelly.
Expose the setup to sunlight for a few hours.
Boil 150 mL water, then immerse the detached leaf and let it cool to 60°C.
Transfer the leaf to alcohol in another boiling tube.
Place the tube in a beaker of hot water until the leaf turns colourless.
Dip the leaf in iodine solution in a petri dish after washing.
After about five minutes, remove the leaf, wash it, and observe.

This experiment strongly shows how important carbon dioxide is for photosynthesis. The clear difference in starch between the lit and pale leaves highlights its key role. This emphasises how carbon dioxide is closely connected to making food in plants, showing how crucial it is for their growth and the environment.

FAQs on Carbon Dioxide Is Essential for Photosynthesis

Q.1 Why is carbon dioxide important for photosynthesis?

Ans. Carbon dioxide is a crucial ingredient in photosynthesis because it provides the carbon atoms necessary for building organic molecules, such as glucose, which are essential for plant growth and energy storage.

Q.2 How does carbon dioxide enter the plant for photosynthesis?

Ans. Carbon dioxide enters the plant through tiny pores called stomata, primarily located on the leaves. These openings allow carbon dioxide to diffuse into the plant’s cells, where photosynthesis occurs.

Q.3 What happens to carbon dioxide during photosynthesis?

Ans. During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is used by plants, along with water and sunlight, to produce glucose and oxygen. This process occurs in chloroplasts within plant cells.

Q.4 How does the availability of carbon dioxide affect plant growth?

Ans. The availability of carbon dioxide directly impacts the rate of photosynthesis and, consequently, plant growth. Higher concentrations of carbon dioxide generally lead to increased photosynthetic activity and enhanced growth.

Q.5 Can photosynthesis occur without carbon dioxide?

Ans. Photosynthesis cannot occur without carbon dioxide. It’s a necessary raw material for the process, and without it, plants wouldn’t be able to synthesise the organic compounds needed for growth and survival.