Thursday, March 19, 2020

Using however - Emphasis

Using however Using however ‘However’ is a useful word, however you look at it. [Sorry – Ed.] But readers of our e-bulletin, Write Away, often ask us to clarify the right ways to use it. However we can help, say we. Meaning ‘but’ The most common way of using ‘however’ is to mean ‘but’. This usually comes at the beginning of a sentence, and is followed by a comma. The calendar claimed the month was May. However, the temperature felt more like November. For this use, it’s also correct to put it in the middle of the sentence, with commas either side. It was May. It was, however, very nippy. Or you can put it at the end, after a comma. I am normally wearing shorts by this time of year. I’m afraid of pneumonia, however. But it is wrong to use ‘however’ between two parts of a sentence that make sense by themselves. I look forward to this time of year, however today I have goosebumps is grammatically incorrect. You can use ‘but’ here instead, because it is a conjunction (or joining word). ‘However’ is not a conjunction when it means ‘but’. I look forward to this time of year. However, today I have goosebumps is grammatically correct. Meaning ‘no matter how’ Another, less common, meaning for ‘however’ is ‘no matter how’. You can use it in the middle of a sentence without a comma after it. I couldn’t bring myself to give up my thermal vest, however tired I was of being teased for it. You can also put it at the beginning of your sentence, without a comma afterwards. However you like me to dress, I’ll do the opposite. Be wary of not accidentally putting a comma after ‘however’ in this instance, or you could end up saying something quite different. However, you like me to dress, I’ll do the opposite. [Note: if you do ever want to assert that, while there are people who prefer you clothed, you will always choose to defy them, then that second comma should really be a semi-colon. Or a full stop.] Meaning ‘in whatever way’ In this form ‘however’ can be at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, with no punctuation around it. I’m kidding. I’ll dress however you’d like me to. It’s your mum’s birthday party. How do I want to travel to Hawaii? However you want. You’re paying. Alternatives When you’re writing a long document, and you need to link from one paragraph to another, it’s easy to fall into the trap of over-using ‘however’ (meaning ‘but’). Here are some good alternatives to keep your writing varied and fresh:         Nevertheless         On the other hand         But         Yet         Despite         In contrast/comparison. If you’re ever in doubt about how to use a particular word, or if you have any other business writing questions, our free 64-page guide to better writing The Write Stuff will help. Click here to download your free copy.

Monday, March 2, 2020

Learn About Photosynthesis Formula

Learn About Photosynthesis Formula Some organisms need to create the energy they need to survive. These organisms are capable of absorbing energy from sunlight and using it to produce sugar and other organic compounds such as lipids and proteins. The sugars are then used to provide energy for the organism. This process, called photosynthesis, is used by photosynthetic organisms including plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis Equation In photosynthesis, solar energy is converted to chemical energy. The chemical energy is stored in the form of glucose (sugar). Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are used to produce glucose, oxygen, and water. The chemical equation for this process is: 6CO2 12H2O light → C6H12O6 6O2 6H2O Six molecules of carbon dioxide (6CO2) and twelve molecules of water (12H2O) are consumed in the process, while glucose (C6H12O6), six molecules of oxygen (6O2), and six molecules of water (6H2O) are produced. This equation may be simplified as: 6CO2 6H2O light → C6H12O6 6O2. Photosynthesis in Plants In plants, photosynthesis occurs mainly within the leaves. Since photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, all of these substances must be obtained by or transported to the leaves. Carbon dioxide is obtained through tiny pores in plant leaves called stomata. Oxygen is also released through the stomata. Water is obtained by the plant through the roots and delivered to the leaves through vascular plant tissue systems. Sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, a green pigment located in plant cell structures called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain several structures, each having specific functions: Outer and inner membranes- protective coverings that keep chloroplast structures enclosed.Stroma- dense fluid within the chloroplast. The site of conversion of carbon dioxide to sugar.Thylakoid- flattened sac-like membrane structures. The site of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.Grana- densely layered stacks of thylakoid sacs. Sites of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.Chlorophyll- a green pigment within the chloroplast. Absorbs light energy. Stages of Photosynthesis Photosynthesis occurs in two stages. These stages are called the light reactions and the dark reactions. The light reactions take place in the presence of light. The dark reactions do not require direct light, however dark reactions in most plants occur during the day. Light reactions occur mostly in the thylakoid stacks of the grana. Here, sunlight is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP (free energy containing molecule) and NADPH (high energy electron carrying molecule). Chlorophyll absorbs light energy and starts a chain of steps that result in the production of ATP, NADPH, and oxygen (through the splitting of water). Oxygen is released through the stomata. Both ATP and NADPH are used in the dark reactions to produce sugar. Dark reactions occur in the stroma. Carbon dioxide is converted to sugar using ATP and NADPH. This process is known as carbon fixation or the Calvin cycle. The Calvin cycle has three main stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration. In carbon fixation, carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon sugar [ribulose1,5-biphosphate (RuBP)] creating a 6-carbon sugar. In the reduction stage, ATP and NADPH produced in the light reaction stage are used to convert the 6-carbon sugar into two molecules of a 3-carbon carbohydrate, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate. Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate is used to make glucose and fructose. These two molecules (glucose and fructose) combine to make sucrose or sugar. In the regeneration stage, some molecules of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate are combined with ATP and are converted back into the 5-carbon sugar RuBP. With the cycle complete, RuBP is available to be combined with carbon dioxide to begin the cycle over again. Photosynthesis Summary In summary, photosynthesis is a process in which light energy is converted to chemical energy and used to produce organic compounds. In plants, photosynthesis typically occurs within the chloroplasts located in plant leaves. Photosynthesis consists of two stages, the light reactions, and the dark reactions. The light reactions convert light into energy (ATP and NADHP) and the dark reactions use the energy and carbon dioxide to produce sugar. For a review of photosynthesis, take the Photosynthesis Quiz.