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Figure 9 shows an area of woodland with some small plants growing in the ground between the trees - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Question 5
Figure 9 shows an area of woodland with some small plants growing in the ground between the trees. (Source: Maksym Holovinov/Shutterstock) (a) The leaves of the s... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 9 shows an area of woodland with some small plants growing in the ground between the trees - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 5 - 2021 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe how these plants make glucose.
Answer
The small plants make glucose through the process of photosynthesis. This process involves several key steps:
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Chlorophyll and Light: The plants contain chlorophyll, a green pigment found in their leaves. This pigment absorbs sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis.
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Using Raw Materials: During photosynthesis, these plants absorb water (H₂O) from the soil and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air. Water is taken in through the roots, while carbon dioxide enters the leaves through small openings called stomata.
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Chemical Reaction: Using the absorbed sunlight, the plants convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) through a series of chemical reactions. The overall equation can be written as:
ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$$
This reaction not only provides the plants with glucose, which serves as a source of energy, but also releases oxygen into the atmosphere, which is crucial for the survival of many living organisms.