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Photosynthesis Basics for Students

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water using energy from sunlight. It begins ecological food webs and produces oxygen as a byproduct. The process involves two phases - the light-dependent reaction uses light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, while the light-independent reaction uses these products to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of reduction reactions. Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs sunlight and drives the light reactions.

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67 views1 page

Photosynthesis Basics for Students

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and algae produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water using energy from sunlight. It begins ecological food webs and produces oxygen as a byproduct. The process involves two phases - the light-dependent reaction uses light energy to produce ATP and NADPH, while the light-independent reaction uses these products to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of reduction reactions. Chlorophyll is the green pigment that absorbs sunlight and drives the light reactions.

Uploaded by

lesly Anne
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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Topic : Photosynthesis

I. What is Photosynthesis?
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
- is the process by which plants and plant-like organisms make their food (glucose) from sunlight.
- Stored as carbohydrate in their bodies.

II. Why is Photosynthesis important?


 Makes organic molecules (glucose) out of inorganic materials (carbon dioxide and water).
 It begins all food chains/webs. Thus all life is supported by this process.
 It also makes oxygen gas
 Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a kind of sugar.
 Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing.
 Autotrophs make glucose and heterotrophs are consumers of it.
Photosynthesis - starts to ecological food webs!
III. Photosynthesis Equation
6 C O 2 +6 H 2 O sunlight C6 H 12 O 6 +6 O 2
→
or
Carbon Dioxide + Water = Glucose + Oxygen
IV. What is chlorophyll?
- Leaves are green because they contain the pigment chlorophyll.
- Leaves have a large surface area to absorb as much light as possible
- Absorb different colors of white light (ROY G BIV)
- These pigments absorb all wavelengths (light) EXCEPT green
Visible light is only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum
(all forms of light).

 LIGHT behaves as if it were composed of "units" or "packets" of energy that travel in waves. These packets are photons.
 The wavelength of light determines its color.

V. What is Stoma?
- is the opening how plants exchange gases.

VI. TWO PHASES OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS


1. Light-dependent or Light Reaction Phase
- converts light energy into chemical energy; produces ATP molecules to be used to fuel light-independent reaction
- Requires light
- Occurs in chloroplast (in thylakoids)
- Thylakoid traps energy from light
- Light excites the electron (e-)
- Kicks e- out of chlorophyll to an electron transport chain
- Electron transport chain: series of proteins in thylakoid membrane
2. Light-independent or Dark Reaction Phase
- uses ATP produced to make simple sugars.

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