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Tutorial Questions 1) Basics of photosynthesis:
a. Review the anatomy of the leaf and the cellular locations and organelles involved in photosynthesis. The outside of the leaf is covered in a waxy layer that helps prevent water loss called the cuticle. On the underside of the leaf there are small pores called stomata, which take in carbon dioxide to convert into sugar. Inside the leaf, water is transported through tubes called xylem. Photosynthesis occurs in the mesophyll (interior) layer of the leaf. These are the cells that contain chloroplasts, which are the major sites for glucose production via photosynthesis. Chloroplasts are made up of stacks of thylakoids called granum, which store the …show more content…

The oxygen is released as a waste product, while the H+ and electrons are used to reduce NADP+ to NADPH. At the same time ADP is used to create ATP which is used as a source of energy for later parts of photosynthesis. The light-independent phase (also called the Calvin cycle) uses the NADPH created from the light-dependent phase and combines it with atmospheric CO2 in the stoma of the leaf. The protein called RuBisCO is an enzyme which helps to catalyze this reaction, and uses the ATP created in the light-dependent phase to complete the reaction. The complete reaction converts six water molecules and six CO2 molecules into glucose (C6H12O6) molecules and six O2 molecules.

2) Explain why Rubisco is possibly the most important protein on the planet. RuBisCO is the enzyme responsible for “Carbon fixation”, which means it catalyzes the production of organic molecules from inorganic carbon. It is the most abundant protein in the leaves of plants, and is estimated to convert approximately 258 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually. Artificial synthesis of this enzyme could help in reducing air pollution.

3) Explain how the eruption of a large volcano could lead to changes in the earth’s atmosphere, and consequently, life on earth. When a volcano erupts, it releases a huge amount of ash and different gasses into the air. The ash could potentially land on the surface of plant leaves, hampering their

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