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The Effect of Photosynthesis and Respiration on the Environment

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The Effect of Photosynthesis and Respiration on the Environment

The environment can be defined as the surroundings in which as organism lives, including the climate, the physical and chemical conditions of its habitat and its relationship with other living things. Given the above understanding, it is therefore important that the right environment factors are in existence for some chemical reactions to take place. In the absence of optimum environmental factors, organisms would be compelled to adapt themselves to the prevailing environment. Cellular respiration and photosynthesis are two important chemical reactions for which the environment is of paramount importance. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants …show more content…

No light at all hinders the light conversion stage of photosynthesis from taking place. Prolonged absence of light may lead to yellowing and consequent death of the plant. This is due to lack of food. Light intensity influences the manufacture of food and development of stem, leaf colour and flowering in plants. An increase in light leads to an increase in the rate of photosynthesis, propionately until the light intensity reaches 10000 lux after which there is no effect. Adaptation: Some plants tend to grow elongated stems with the aim of reaching light faster. Other plants grow towards the source of light. e.g. plants growing in a house grow towards the windows.

Plants growing in the thick forests survive by climbing on taller stronger trees to get to sunlight above. Others grow dark green leaves for maximum light absorption. E.g. the philodendron plant.

When plants receive less light (eg when days are shorter) they tend to shed some leaves to reduce the us of energy and increase storage.

Temperature: Cordial temperature at which photosynthesis can be carried on have a minimum and maximum and optimum, and vary with species. The minimum may be as low as 0c in some artic plants. The optimum for most plants is between 20c and 22c. It may be as high as 45c e.g. the laurel cherry. Too high temperature may increase the rate of water absorption by the plant. This is because the plant has to lose a lot of water

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