Since you have heard the story let me tell you the prats and the way of carnivores plants scientifically.
Carnivorous plants are simply plants that obtain – in part or whole – the nutrients they require by way of ensnaring then digesting insects.
There are five carnivorous plant families that have evolved in a way that allows them to attract and trap various species of insects - though there are now around 630 variations that grow natively around the world.
Carnivourous Plants
Snap Traps: they use a swift leaf closing mechanism.
Flypaper Traps: these produce a sticky substance on the leaf surface.
Pitfall Traps: use a tubular type leaf with a small amount of digestive enzyme in the base.
Lobster Pot Traps: small chamber-like leaves – that are difficult to exit therefore encourages the prey forwards
Bladder Traps: suck prey in by way of using a bladder
Let me show you a video to better understand the cruelty of this plants
They lure insects into death traps, then gorge on their flesh. Is that any way for a plant to behave?
Drawn by what seems like the scent of nectar from a flowerlike patch of scarlet on the ground, the fly lands on the fleshy pad of a ruddy leaf. It takes a sip of the sweet liquid oozing from the leaf, brushing a leg against one tiny hair on its surface, then another. Suddenly the fly's world has walls around it. The two sides of the leaf are closing against each other, spines along its edges interlocking like the teeth of a jaw trap. As the fly struggles to escape, the trap squeezes shut. Now, instead of offering sweet nectar, the leaf unleashes enzymes that eat away at the fly's innards, gradually turning them into goo. The fly has suffered the ultimate indignity for an animal: It has been killed by a plant.
Photosynthesis is means that primary producers can obtain energy via light energy. The energy gained FROM light can be used in various processes mentioned below for the creation of energy that the plant will need to survive and grow.
Photosynthesis is a reduction process, where hydrogen is reduced by a coenzyme. This is in contrast to respiration where glucose is oxidised.
The process is split INTO two DISTINCT areas, Photolysis (the photochemical stage) and the Calvin cycle (the thermochemical stage).
CO2 + H2O > glucose + oxygen
Photolysis
This part of photosynthesis occurs in the granum of a chloroplast where light is absorbed by chloroplast ; a type of photosynthetic pigment that converts the light to chemical energy. This reacts with water (H2O) and splits the oxygen and hydrogen molecules apart.
From this dissection of water, the oxygen is released as a by-product while the reduced hydrogen acceptor makes its way to the second stage of photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle.
Overall, since the water is oxidised (hydrogen is removed) and energy is gained in photolysis which is required in the Calvin cycle
We realised that we didnt actually explain what is photosynthesis. So let me explain it to you.
Photosynthesis is the single most important chemical process on earth. It is the process by which plants use solar energy to manufacture food. The term means “putting together with light,” and the process of photosynthesis uses solar energy to form simple sugars from water and carbon dioxide gas. Later these sugars are converted into starch, protein, or fat; and we eat them as fruits and vegetables. Thus photosynthesis changes light energy into food (chemical) energy. Photosynthesis sustains green plants and as a result all other living things as well. Both directly and indirectly green plants generate most of the world’s chemical energy. Wood and fossil fuels — coal, oil and natural gas formed from plants and animals that lived mil- lions of years ago — provide much of our electricity and heat. Green plants are the source of gasoline that we use to power buses and cars. Fresh fruits, vegetables and grain, as well as meat from animals that eat plants, give us the energy to work and play and think. All of this energy originally came from the sun, and it is available to us only as a result of photosynthesis. People have dreamed of duplicating this process, and biochemists are still trying to unravel its complexities. They know that it involves a sequence of chemical relirelised- es that takes place in a millionth of a second. They also know that most chlorophyll mol- ecules and certain plant pigments act as antennas which receive and absorb solar energy, then transmit it to a pair of very special chlorophyll molecules that convert it to chemical energy. When the chemical dynamics of this process are finally understood, people will be closer to the extraordinary goal of converting sunlight directly to chemical energy. Until that goal is achieved, we remain totally dependent on green plants for life.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Aerobic respiration is the release of energy from the glucose or another organic substrate in the presence of oxygen. Strictly speaking aerobic means air, but it is the oxygen which is necessary for aerobic respiration.
Here is glucose molecule. A glucose = carbon + hydrogen +oxygen
This is a much more accurate formula :
Glucose + Oxygen = Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy
You should be able to see six carbon atoms on each side of the equation; One molecule of glucose contains six atoms of Carbon and six molecules of Carbon Dioxide each contain one atom of Carbon.
You should also be able to see that the Hydrogen is balanced. One molecule of Glucose contains twelve atoms of Hydrogen and six molecules of water each contain two atoms of Oxygen.
Now look at the Oxygen. To make six molecules of Carbon Dioxide we need twelve atoms of Oxygen and to make six molecules of water we need another six atoms of Oxygen. That makes a total of eighteen atoms of Oxygen. The glucose already contains six atoms of Oxygen so the cell will need a further six molecules of Oxygen from the air.
Aerobic respiration takes place in almost all living things. It is easy to get rid of the Carbon Dioxide and excess water; this is excretion (the removal of the toxic waste products of metabolism), and maximum energy is released from the glucose.
Here's a interesting video glucose song to help you memorize better
In plant and animal cells, a process in which energy is released from food molecules such as glucose without requiring oxygen. Some aerobic plants and animals are able to use anaerobic respiration for short periods of time. For example, during a sprint, human muscles can respire anaerobically. Unfortunately, lactic acid is produced and accumulates until the muscles cannot continue working. Anaerobic respiration in humans is less efficient than aerobic respiration at releasing energy, but releases energy faster . This explains why humans can run faster in a sprint than over longer distances. When humans stop after a sprint, they have to continue breathing more heavily for a while. This is to take in ‘extra’ oxygen in order to break down the accumulated lactic acid on top of the ‘normal’ breakdown of sugar in aerobic respiration. The body is paying back the oxygen debt built up during the sprint.
Use of anaerobic respiration in industry In plants, yeasts, and bacteria, anaerobic respiration results in the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide, a process that is exploited by both the brewing and the baking industries .
Origins of anaerobic respiration Although anaerobic respiration is a primitive and inefficient form of energy release, deriving from the period when oxygen was missing from the atmosphere, it can also be seen as an adaption. To survive in some habitats, such as the muddy bottom of a polluted river, an organism must be to a large extent independent of oxygen; such habitats are said to beanoxic.
Our opinion :We have learnt that plants have a very unique way of making their own food, surviving and depending on themselves. We have learnt many methods of proving that all plants indeed photosynthesis and respire. We also figure out that photosynthesis is affected by temperature, light intensity,colour and carbondioxide and lastly the presence of light. Without any of this reactants photosynthesis will cease to occur endangering a plants life.
Better theory : Plants can indeed photosynthesis without the "green pigments ". But actually they are just "hidden" from our eyes. From the above, We can conclude that plants photosynthesize and respire in different ways but end up with the same subject. Plants stored the excess glucose and convert them into starch to be used for rainy days. Starch can be kept in fruits,stems or even the roots. Hence, I can conclude that plants are important in the ecosystem
This is what our teacher taught us a few days back.
we all know chlorophyll creates food for the plant as there are chloroplasts in them. let me show you a experiment to prove it.
Aim : To investigate the type of food stored in a green leaf.
Hypothesis : I will use iodine to test if the leaf has starch in it. As iodine turns from brown to blue when it comes in contact will starch, it is the best candidate to test for starch in a leaf.
Theory : Leaf has chloroplasts in them hence, starch will be created as when leaf undergo photosynthesis, they produce oxygen and glucose. The excess glucose is converted to starch which is stored in flowers or fruits. EG. A potato, strawberry.
Materials : A beaker, water, leaf, bunsen burner, alcohol( denatured ethanol ), gauze mat, tripod, test tube.
Steps :
1) Firstly boil the leaf in a beaker of water for about 5 minutes
2) Set up the apparatus as shown above. (methylated spirits also know as alcohol )
3) Boil the leaf for about 10 minutes
* After this stage the leaf will be very brittle so carefully remove the leaf from the beaker to avoid breaking the leaf
4) Dip the leaf in a beaker of hot water to soften the the dehydrated leaf.
5)Next add a few drops of iodine on the leaf
Results : The iodine turned from dark brown to blue.
Our opinion : The results show that when a plants photosynthesize the produce starch.
Further explanation : This is because starch is composed of polymers of glucose. Long linear chains are amylose. Amylopectin is similar but contains a branch point about every 25th glucose or so. Amylose coils into a helical secondary structure resembling a tube with a hollow core. Certain molecules including fatty acids and iodine can lodge inside the core as already mentioned. The complex of iodine stuck inside the amylose coil produces a characteristic blue-black colour. The starch itself is not altered. Starch-iodine complex becomes unstable at temperatures above 35 °C. This complex in presence of an oxidizing agent the solution turns blue, in the presence of reducing agent, the blue color disappears because trioxide ions break up into three iodide ions, disassembling the complex. So starch turns into glucose molecules. Therefore the blue black colour disappears. However, when it cools down again, then the glucose macromolecules bonded up together again in a long chain, becoming starch. That is why it tested positive for starch and turns back into blue-black colour. Hence i can conclude that iodine change colours when it come in contact with starch.
Better Theory : One of the product of photosynthesis is Starch.When the iodine comes in contact with the leaf the iodine turns blue as the starch is reacting with the iodine.
Our opinion :The content inside the leaf is starch.
Conclusion :
My hypothesis was confirmed. I concluded this as when my teacher taught us how to do the experiment i checked the results of my friends and all of them have the same result.
Overall : My results generalize that leafs do produce starch.
Firstly I will show you guys a picture as this may be a little hard to understand without the diagram.
Aim : To investigate whether plants undergo respiration.
Hypothesis : I will observe that the limewater will turn chalky after a period of time. As when limewater comes in contact with carbon dioxide it will turn chalky. One of the products of the process respiration consists of carbon dioxide. So, if the limewater turns chalky i will immediately know that plants do indeed photosynthesize.
Theory : Plants photosynthesize in the day while they respire in the night as the presence of light is absent. So if there is no sunlight no photosynthesis will occur.
Materials: bell jar, a potted plant , a boiling tube, limewater, and a cork, a roll of scotchtape.
Steps
1)Firstly find a area where there is no sunlight, however ensure there is some light so you will be able to see.
2)Put a bell jar over the plant.
3) Scotchtape the boiling to the side of the brim of the bell jar leaving some space at the top.
4)Pour in some limewater into the boiling tube.
5) Seal the whole bell jar will a crake at the brim
Results :
1min- The limewater remain clear
2min- The limewater start to turn blurry
3min- The limewater becomes cloudy
Our opinion : The results have indeed shown us that the plant undergo the process respiration as the limewater turn chalky
Further explanation :While limewater is a clear solution, milk of lime on the other hand is a suspension of calcium hydroxide particles in water. These particles give it the milky aspect. It is commonly produced by reacting quicklime with an excess of water - usually 4 to 8 times the amount of water to the amount of quicklime.The calcium oxide will convert to the hydroxide according to the following reaction scheme. Sometimes the reaction is so much that it can cause temperature which water could boil.
The formula is shown below to explain in deeper to the experiment.
CaO + H2O → Ca(OH)2
My findings : There were certain errors which could not be avoided as they were essential to the success of the experiment. One of the errors was the light. As we on the light to observe the plant, the plant is also converting the light energy to glucose and oxygen. Hence, our result may not be as accurate.
Better theory : One method is that you can paint the bell jar black. But by doing that we were not able to observe how the limewater turns chalky overtime.
Conclusion : My hypothesis was confirmed. I did not only just use one plant to do the experiment. I used the same kind of plant and all of them show the same result.
Overall : My results generalizes that respiration in plants give out carbondioxide.
Further explanation : I will show you a video and it will surely give you a deeper understanding .
We are investigating about the colour of light affecting photosynthesis.
Results ( in acsending order )
The colour which makes the plant produce the most oxygen : 1) blue 2) red 3) magenta 4) normal light 5) green light
Our opinion : The results shown that colours indeed affect the rate of photosynthesis and the colour is a factor which keeps the plant alive.
Further explanation : There is a obvious relationship between the amount of oxygen produce and the colour of the light. The amount of oxygen increases as the colour changes. The green light causes the oxygen level to stay at a constant level even after quite some time. So from the result which the green light produced, I can conclude that green light is relected by the plant and doesnt help the plant in photosynthesizing. I can conclude that as before the experiment, our group came out with a theory which is whatever that appears what is appear to be is relecting the colour it appears to be.
Better theory : The other four colour such as white light ( normal light ) , magenta , red and blue shown that it enables and help a plant in photosyntesizing as the amount of oxygen in the water remain inconsistent.From the result, I can conclude that the four colour allow plants to photosynthesize.
My findings : There were certain errors in our experiment such as the amount of oxygen at the beggining in the water. We guess we did not have the equipment to remove the amount of oxygen from the water.The effects of the amount of oxygen in the water could affect the make the amount of oxygen produced by the plant inaccurate.The second reason is the amount of leaves on the hydrilla. For a more accurate result the amount of leaves on the hydrilla must be the same.
Better theory : The experiment could have been better if we were much more particular about the amount of oxygen in the water and the amount of leaves on hydrilla. After checking throught the above stated the results definitly will become even more accurate then before.
Our opinion : The colour of the light in green houses which houses plants.
Conclusion :
My hypothesis was confirmed. I can conclude this as I seen many websites which also has the same results as mine and i even checked yahoo to be even more confirmed.
Overall : My results generalises that colours indeed affect the rate of photosynthesis.
As we all know the conditions which plants need to photosynthesize are water, light, carbon dioxide and temperature of the surrounding.
Aim: The effects different colours have on plants.
Hypothesis: I will find a difference in the amount of oxygen bubbles produced by the plants. If the rate photosynthesis increases more oxygen bubbles will be produced. I think that the plant exposed to green light will not be able to photosynthesize. As the the colours plants absorb are all the colour of white light except green light.
Theory: Plants will not absorb the green light as the colour of their leaves are green. Colours which get reflected into our eyes are reflected, hence the plants will not be able to absorb green light.
Method: The independent variable is the different coloured light filters and the dependent variable are the oxygen bubbles produced by the plant.
Other possible variables:They are the source of light and the amount of carbondioxide. We will turn off the lights and the only light source available will be a torchlight. I will be measuring the amount of oxygen bubble produced by the plant.
Materials: One hydrillas, three test-tube(1) , three other bigger tube (2) able to let test-tube (1) fit in , 3 filters ( red, blue and green ), 3 retort stands,
Things to note: the hydrilla must stay constant to avoid any inaccurate results.
Steps :
1. Fill test-tube (2) with water to keep the heat in
2. Fill test-tube (1) up with water
3. Tighten test-tube (1) to the retort stands
4. Adjust until test-tube (1) touches the base of test-tube (2)
5. Place the torch light in front of the test-tubes
6. Start by using the red filter
7. Put the hydrilla into test-tube (1)
8. Let the plant adjust to the water for about a minute
9. Count the bubbles which comes out from the plant for about 3 minutes
10. Observe and write down the number of bubbles
11. Repeat the step with the other colours ( blue and green )
I have learned that plants do have many methods of photosynthesizing. Even plant's leaves which are not green can photosynthesize. When i first heard i was surprised by the information. I have also been exposed to more interesting facts such as animals photosynthesizing. Aren't plants only thing on earth which are able to photosynthesize? Lastly i also learned that plants do not need much light to photosynthesize unless they have the correct conditions for the "dark reactions" to occur.
Progress this week :
Our group has brought in interesting information for the community and hopes that the readers will benefit from reading them.
Difficulties :
The difficulties in coming out with this blog entry are understanding the information for the internet especially information about the "dark reaction". It was really complicated.
New theory : How does photosynthesis occur without light energy?
let me show you the theory as it can be hard to understand without it.
3 CO2 + 9 ATP + 6 NADPH + 6 H+ → C3H6O3-phosphate + 9 ADP + 8 Pi + 6 NADP+ + 3 H2O
In the light-independent or dark reactions the enzyme RuBisCO captures CO2 from the atmosphere and in a process that requires the newly formed NADPH, called the Calvin-Benson Cycle, releases three-carbon sugars, which are later combined to form sucrose and starch.To be more specific, carbon fixation produces an intermediate product, which is then converted to the final carbohydrate products. The carbon skeletons produced by photosynthesis are then variously used to form other organic compounds, such as the building material cellulose, as precursors for lipid and amino acid biosynthesis, or as a fuel in cellularrespiration. The latter occurs not only in plants but also in animal when the energy from plants gets passed through a food chain .So as the plants continue to photsynthesize, the animal gets an "unlimited" supply of food for some time.
The fixation or reduction of carbon dioxide is a process in which carbon dioxide combines with a five-carbon sugar, ribulose1,5-bisphosphate, to yield two molecules of a three-carbon compound, glycerinate3-phosphate, also known as 3-phosphoglycerate (PGA). GP, in the presence of ATP and NADHT from the light-dependent stages, is reduced to glyceraldehyde3-phosphate. This product is also referred to as 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde (PGAL) or even as triose phosphate. Triose is a 3-carbon sugar . Most (5 out of 6 molecules) of the G3P produced is used to regenerate RuBP so the process can continue (see Calvin-bensoncycle). The 1 out of 6 molecules of the triose phosphates not "recycled" often condense to form hexose phosphates, which ultimately yield sucrose, starch and cellulose. The sugars produced during carbon metabolism yield carbon skeletons that can be used for other metabolic reactions like the production of amino acids and lipids.
I can conclude: That animal which depend on photosynthesis can suvive even without light energy to photosynthesize the "normal way"
Here's a diagram to summarize everything.
ANIMALS CAN PHOTOSYNTHESIZE
From my perspective : Some animals can photosynthesize, because they are incredibly intelligent creatures and can control the amount of food digested in the stomach.Here's are some examples you might be interested in.
LOWER: The sacoglossan showing the green network of ducts which contain the green chloroplasts from its algal food.
UPPER : The aeolid nudibranch which "farms" colonies of brown single-celled algae (zooxanthellae) in its body.
Two quite different groups of sea slugs have evolved ways of using the ability of plants to convert the sun's energy into sugars and other nutrients. In simple terms they have become "solar powered". The herbivorous sacoglossans are suctorial feeders removing the cell sap from the algae on which they feed. In most, the cell contents are simply digested by the slug. Some species however have evolved branches of their gut which ramify throughout the body wall and contain plastids, which are the photosynthesising "factories" from the algae, alive and operating. In many cases these plastids are chloroplasts, but sacoglossans that feed on red and brown algae are also reported to keep the plastids from these algae alive as well.
I can conclude that some animals are more intelligent than humans as they are able to photosynthesize just by eating algae.
Let me tell you what are the consequences of ceasing photosynthesis, so readers can understand the importance of it.
1) What happens if suddenly the process photosynthesis stops?
If photosynthesis stopped, the humans couldn't live in the Earth. If Photosynthesis stopped, the carbon dioxide happened more. Photosynthesis was happened by carbon dioxide, water and energy from the sun, but if photosynthesis was not reaction, the carbon dioxide spreads all of the world. Also the photosynthesis produces oxygen and glucose, the oxygen and glucose were important for human and plants. The glucose help to plants grow and when plants were grow, the oxygen was happened so human could breath and lived, but if there were not oxygen on the Earth human couldn't live. Also if plants were not grow and died, the ozone was also broken, and happened more greenhouse gases, the global warming was happened. So the sea level rises because the ice was melted and people will be died and could not live in the Earth.
2)What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organiccompounds, especially sugar, using the energy from sunlight.Photosynthesis is vital for life on earth. As well as maintaining the normal level of oxygen in the atmosphere, nearly all life either depends on it directly as a source of energy, or indirectly as the ultimate source of the energy in their food.Although photosynthesis can happen in different ways in different plants, some features are always the same.For example, the process always begins when energy from light is absorbed by the chloroplasts.After that, carbon dioxide is turn into organic compounds.
3) From our pespective : These plants leaves are coloured and can photosynthesize.Otherwise they will not be able to grow at all
The purpose ofChlorophyll helps a plant to convert light energy into chemical energy in a process called photosynthesis. This reaction produces glucose that the plant uses to grow. Excess is then stored, which is why we can get energy from plants.They may not look green, but there’s actually chlorophyll in the leaves still. Otherwise, they will not be able to make food and will die. The colour you see actually comes from the green colour of chlorophyll and deep red or yellow colours from pigments of various chemicals like anthocyanins, carotenes and xanthophyll.
Questions you might ask.
Why bother to produce red pigments?
Well, these serve certain protective functions, such as from harmful UV rays anti-oxidant protection. These non-green pigments also assist photosynthesis. Some studies also predict that the red colour exuded by young leaves of some tropical trees warn animals from eating them. Upon maturity, these leaves rapidly turn green.These red pigments occur in varying amounts in all leaves. The more they are present, the more red the leaf appears. When seasons change from summer to fall, chlorophyll breaks down naturally so the red pigments appear more obvious.
New imformation we have found out : this are the theories we have found.
1)Respiration and photosynthesis is just the exchange of gases.
(respiration)carbon dioxide + water
chlorophyll →→→→→→→→ light energy
(glucose)+oxygen(photosynthesis)
2)They must both be the same
Putting our knowledge together we found out that Plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen in the day while the take in oxygen at night and release carbon dioxide. That process is called photosynthesis. However, if there are, if there are no plants, the carbon dioxide in the air may increase too much that it lead to much that it leads to Global warming and in the process melting the polar ice caps.Animal take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide all the time. That process is called respiration. However on the other hand, if there is no animals to respire, the level of oxygen in the air might increase too much that it may cause oxygen toxicity and may cause fires too last longer as fires requires oxygen to burn.
3)Both of them are important to the survival of living things.
Mostly, all green plants go through photosynthesis because they need food. Respiration and Photosynthesis is the opposite. Green plants need CO2, sunlight and water to make food. We, humans cannot make our own food. But, green plants cannot make food when it is on the night time because there is no sunlight. During the day time, green plants go through photosynthesisas well as respiration. All livings things need oxygen for respiration to survive. The green plants take up only oxygen during night time. Both of them have their opposite cycles, like what i have written above photosynthesis takes up CO2 and gives out O2 while respiration takes in O2 and gives out CO2. So, whenever oxygen was taken by living things, it has been replaced by the green plants that gives out oxygen and taking in our CO2.
4) Humans making food?
Humans and animals cannot make their own food because we do not have chloroplast in our cells. The leaves of plants are green that is what gives them the greenish colour. Even if we do, our skin would change its color to green.
Some of the common questions people might ask.
Why is photosynthesis important?
Photosynthesis is vital for life on earth.The reason is as well as maintaining the normal level of oxygen in the atmosphere, nearly all life either depends on it directly as a source of energy, or indirectly as the ultimate source of the energy in their food.
Who is the one who discovered photosynthesis?And how did he do it?
Jan van helmont began the research of the process in the mid-1600s when he carefully measured the mass of the soil used by a plant and the mass of the plant as it grew. After noticing that the soil mass changed very little, he hypothesized that the mass of the growing plant must come from the water, the only substance he added to the potted plant. His hypothesis was partially accurate—much of the gained mass also comes from carbon dioxide as well as water. However, this was a signaling point to the idea that the bulk of a plant's biomass comes from the inputs of photosynthesis, not the soil itself.
What we have learned?
We have learned that the earth may look very huge and vast but at the same time vulnerable to damage. If we stop the two processes we have explained from occuring the impact on earth would be very devasting.
The difficulties we faced are finding the relevant information need for this blog entry.
