Photosynthesis

 

What Is Photosynthesis in Biology?

The word “photosynthesis” is derived from the Greek words phōs (pronounced: “fos”) and synthesis means, “combining together.” This means “combining together with the help of light.”

Photosynthesis also applies to other organisms besides green plants. These include several prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria and green sulfur bacteria. These organisms exhibit photosynthesis just like green plants.The glucose produced during photosynthesis is then used to fuel various cellular activities. The by-product of this physio-chemical process is oxygen.

A visual representation of the photosynthesis reaction

• Photosynthesis is also used by algae to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Oxygen is liberated as a by-product and light is considered as a major factor to complete the process of photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis occurs when plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Leaves contain microscopic cellular organelles known as chloroplasts.
• Each chloroplast contains a green-coloured pigment called chlorophyll. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon dioxide and oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata located in the epidermis of leaves.
• Another by-product of photosynthesis is sugars such as glucose and fructose.
• These sugars are then sent to the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds. In other words, these sugars are used by the plants as an energy source, which helps them to grow. These sugar molecules then combine with each other to form more complex carbohydrates like cellulose and starch. The cellulose is considered as the structural material that is used in plant cell walls.

Where Does This Process Occur?

Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plants and blue-green algae.  All green parts of a plant, including the green stems, green leaves,  and sepals – floral parts comprise of chloroplasts – green colour plastids. These cell organelles are present only in plant cells and are located within the mesophyll cells of leaves.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Photosynthesis process requires several factors such as: Light Intensity: Increased light intensity results in a higher rate of photosynthesis. On the other hand, low light intensity results in a lower rate of photosynthesis. The concentration of CO2: Higher concentration of carbon dioxide helps in increasing the rate of photosynthesis. Usually, carbon dioxide in the range of 300 – 400 PPM is adequate for photosynthesis. Temperature: For efficient execution of photosynthesis, it is important to have a temperature range between 25° to 35° C. Water: As water is an important factor in photosynthesis, its deficiency can lead to problems in the intake of carbon dioxide. The scarcity of water leads to the refusal of stomatal opening to retain the amount of water they have stored inside. Pollution: Industrial pollutants and other particulates may settle on the leaf surface. This can block the pores of stomata which makes it difficult to take in carbon dioxide.

Photosynthesis Equation

Photosynthesis reaction involves two reactants, carbon dioxide and water. These two reactants yield two products, namely, oxygen and glucose. Hence, the photosynthesis reaction is considered to be an endothermic reaction. Following is the photosynthesis formula:

6CO2    +   6H2O  —>  C6H12O6  + 6O2

Unlike plants, certain bacteria that perform photosynthesis do not produce oxygen as the by-product of photosynthesis. Such bacteria are called anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. The bacteria that do produce oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis are called oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria.

“Photosynthesis Steps:”

• During the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide enters through the stomata, water is absorbed by the root hairs from the soil and is carried to the leaves through the xylem vessels. Chlorophyll absorbs the light energy from the sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
• The hydrogen from water molecules and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air are used in the production of glucose. Furthermore, oxygen is liberated out into the atmosphere through the leaves as a waste product.
• Glucose is a source of food for plants that provide energy for growth and development, while the rest is stored in the roots, leaves and fruits, for their later use.
• Pigments are other fundamental cellular components of photosynthesis. They are the molecules that impart colour and they absorb light at some specific wavelength and reflect back the unabsorbed light.

Importance of Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is essential for the existence of all life on earth. It serves a crucial role in the food chain – the plants create their food using this process, thereby, forming the primary producers.
• Photosynthesis is also responsible for the production of oxygen – which is needed by most organisms for their survival.

Collaborative Tools

 Collaborative tools and how to use it.(Google Docs)

Collaboration tools of ICT is currently the focus of much interest and emerging as development of new tools that make online collaborative projects draw a realistic option for distributed group work. Internet can be used for many collaborative activities such as meetings, discussions are taking place, working in the document, information dissemination, teaching and learning, and other tasks.

 Google docs.

To create a new file:

1. From Google Drive, locate and select the New button, then choose the type of file you want to create. In our example, we'll select Google Docs to create a new document. 

1. 
2. Your new file will appear in a new tab on your browser. Locate and select Untitled document in the upper-left corner.
   
3. The Rename dialog box will appear. Type a name for your file, then click OK.
   
4. Your file will be renamed. You can access the file at any time from your Google Drive, where it will be saved automatically. Simply double-click to open the file again.
   

You may notice that there is no Save button for your files. This is because Google Drive uses auto save, which automatically and immediately saves your files as you edit them.

 

Indicators for Acid and Alkali

 Topic: Indicators for Acid and Alkali.

Objectives: by the end of the lesson,  you will be bale to;

1. use simulation to find the pH of different solution.

  

Indicator: the materials such as litmus paper, pH paper, methyl orange, etc, are called indicators because they are used to test the presence of acids and bases in certain specific materials.

pH: Power of hydrogen. It is the concentration of hydrogen ion. Greater the concentration of hydrogen ions, stronger the acid.

There is a simulation link given below, which will help you understand the pH of various solution without any experimental materials. 

Procedure: 

• Click on the link ‪pH Scale‬ (colorado.edu)

• Click on “Macro”

• There is a list of solutions on the top. You can choose any solution and click on the dropper to fill the beaker.

• On the left hand side there is pH scale and you can drag the pH reader into the solution to test the solution.

Some commonly used acid-base indicators and their color change are given below.

Acid-base indicators	Colour changes
	In acid	In base
Litmus paper	Blue to red	Red to blue
phenolphthalein	Remain colourless	Colourless to pink
Methyl orange	Orange to pink	Orange to yellow

Sound Travel

 Sound can move through the air, water, or solids, as long as there are particles to bounce off of. however, if there are not particles to bounce off of, it cant move. there is no sound in the vacuum of space, because there is nothing to vibrate the sound. The video below will explain how sound travels from the source to your ears.

Jangsa Dumtseg Lhakhang

Jangsa Dumtseg Lhakhang 

Dumtseg Lhakhang is a Buddhist temple in western Bhutan (Paro). The temple is notable as it is in the form of a stupa (chorten), very rare in Bhutan. It is located on the edge of a hill between the Paro valley and the Dopshari valley, across the bridge from Paro.   

                 

The stupa-temple was built in 1421(other sources say 1433) by an eminent Tibetan Lama named Thangtong Gyalpo (1385-1464), also known as Chagzampa, who is remembered for his building of some eight iron bridges in Bhutan. His reason for building a temple in chorten form is because it is said to immobilze demons and proclaims the victory of Buddhism. According to a local legend, the Lhakhang was built to subdue a “serpentine force” that was located at the foundation of the chorten. According to a Bhutanese source it was built “on the nose of a hill that looks like a frog in order to counteract Sadag (earth-owning spirit) and lunyen (powerful naga spirit).  

In 1841, the 25^th Je Khenpo, Sherab Gyeltsen restored the temple with the aid of local villagers, thanking the donors by craving their names on tree trunks which form the columns of the ground floor. The Lhakhang is conceived as a mandala, with different storeys (three floors) corresponding to the different levels of initiation. The three floors are said to represent hell, earth and heaven. It is in the shape of a chorten with a white tower on top, very unusual in Bhutan. The monastery contains many steep ladders to reach the different levels. The Lhakhang contains a massive collection of Buddhist paintings and iconography, said to rival those of any Tibetan Buddhist monastery.

   

                                          

My favorite Photograph

 

Reflection 05

 Reflection

12th April, Tuesday

Topic: ICT as Communicative tools (Creating blog)

I believe, integrating ICT is essential for the children and can save a teacher time, energy, and make them able to incorporate more real authentic learning. We already discuss on ICT as informative tool and I am fascinated how ICT has feed us miraculously. And now, we’ve been learning ICT as communicative tool and yet it never fails to astonish me as it is serving everyone’s needs in the verge of pandemic.                                                                                                  We begin the session, presenting the activity that we’ve design integrating communicative tools in class. Our friends have brought many innovative ideas and without a question I could reap the fruit of this discussion. 

And we were followed by creating blog which I have heard and seen but at no time have I ever made an effort to exert myself into blogging. Nevertheless I feel its great opportunity and I am keen to scout on blog. Before I am just a reader and now I am stepping out to be blogger.