AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Uses of glucose from photosynthesis: used to produce amino acids for protein synthesis.
Glucose from photosynthesis can be combined with nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to make amino acids.
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Glucose from photosynthesis can be combined with nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to make amino acids. Amino acids are the monomers that join by peptide bonds to form proteins. Plants use these proteins for enzymes, membrane proteins, and structural materials. For example, a plant supplied with nitrate ions can synthesise the enzyme rubisco, which is needed in photosynthesis. Without enough nitrate, amino acid and protein synthesis slows, and growth is poor.
What earns the marks
- Glucose from photosynthesis provides carbon skeletons for amino acid synthesis.
- Nitrate ions absorbed from the soil provide the nitrogen needed to make amino acids.
- Amino acids are the monomers that join together to form proteins.
- Proteins made from these amino acids are used for enzymes, membrane proteins, and growth.
- A strong answer links glucose and nitrate ions to amino acid production and then to protein synthesis.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying glucose alone is enough to make amino acids.
Put it right: Nitrate ions are also needed to supply nitrogen.
Confusing amino acids with proteins.
Put it right: Amino acids are the monomers, and proteins are polymers made from them.
Stating that plants take in amino acids directly from the soil.
Put it right: Plants absorb nitrate ions and synthesise amino acids themselves.
Exam tips
- Name nitrate ions as the source of nitrogen for amino acid synthesis.
- Use the terms 'monomer' and 'polymer' correctly when describing amino acids and proteins.
- Link protein synthesis to a named use, such as making enzymes.
Try the lesson
The start of the Uses of glucose from photosynthesis: used to produce amino acids for protein synthesis. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Glucose made in photosynthesis is used with nitrate ions to produce which substances for protein synthesis?
Listen
Glucose from photosynthesis can be combined with nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to make amino acids. Amino acids are the monomers that join by peptide bonds to form proteins. Plants use these proteins for enzymes, membrane proteins, and structural materials. For example, a plant supplied with nitrate ions can synthesise the enzyme rubisco, which is needed in photosynthesis. Without enough nitrate, amino acid and protein synthesis slows, and growth is poor. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Glucose from photosynthesis provides carbon skeletons for amino acid synthesis. Nitrate ions absorbed from the soil provide the nitrogen needed to make amino acids. Amino acids are the monomers that join together to form proteins. Proteins made from these amino acids are used for enzymes, membrane proteins, and growth. A common slip: Saying glucose alone is enough to make amino acids. Instead, nitrate ions are also needed to supply nitrogen. Exam tip: Name nitrate ions as the source of nitrogen for amino acid synthesis.
See it
Key words
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Nitrate ions
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Amino acids
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Protein synthesis
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Glucose
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See every definition
- Nitrate ions
- Absorbed from the soil, these provide the nitrogen needed to make amino acids.
- Amino acids
- The monomers that join together to form proteins.
- Protein synthesis
- The process in which amino acids join together to form proteins, used for enzymes, membrane proteins, and growth.
- Glucose
- From photosynthesis, this provides carbon skeletons for amino acid synthesis.
Label the diagram
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