ECOSYSTEM: Life Energy

• Food supplies the energy needed by organisms to

carry out their life activities. The energy stored in
food comes from the sun.
• All organisms need energy to sustain life.
Although, they cannot use light energy directly for
life activities, almost all their energy requirements
come ultimately from the sun.
• Plants and other living forms containing the green
pigment, chlorophyll, can capture the energy of
sunlight and convert it into chemical energy
stored in food. When people and other organisms
eat plants, chemical energy is transferred to their
bodies.
What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the
process in which light
energy is converted to
chemical energy in the form
of sugars. In a process
driven by light energy,
glucose molecules (or other
sugars) are constructed from
water and carbon dioxide,
and oxygen is released as a
by product.
• Photosynthesis is a process of food making done
by plants and other autotrophic organisms. The
presence of chlorophyll enables these organisms
to make their own food. Autotrophic organisms
require light energy, carbon dioxide and water to
make food (sugar).
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Plants have green pigments called chlorophyll stored in
the chloroplast. This pigment aids in capturing light energy
from the sun that enables plants to change it into chemical
energy stored in food. This process is called
photosynthesis. Below is a summary equation for
photosynthesis:
• 6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis-starts with ecological food webs!
 Plants make Food
Unlike animals, plants themselves make the food
they need through a process called
photosynthesis.”Photo” means light. “Synthesis”
means putting together. Photosynthesis means
putting together using light.
The raw materials needed for the process are
found in the environment. Water comes from the
soil. Carbon dioxide is one of the gases in the
atmosphere. Energy for putting together carbon
dioxide and water comes from the sun.
Leaves

Leaves are the

primary site of
photosynthesis in
plants. Leaves are
composed of three
layers: the epidermis,
the mesophyll, and
the vascular tissues.
Leaves

The epidermis
protects the leaf and
regulates the entry of
water. It also houses
the stomata, the
opening where light
enters.
Leaves
The mesophyll is the middle layer of the
leaf, and it is in here where the chloroplasts
are found. Within each chloroplast, disc-like
structures called thylakoids are arranged in
piles like stacks of pancakes that are known
as grana—singular, granum. The membrane
of each thylakoid contains green-colored
pigments called chlorophylls that absorb
light. The fluid-filled space around the grana
is called the stroma, and the space inside the
thylakoid discs is known as the thylakoid
space.
Leaves

The vascular tissue

is composed of the
xylem and phloem,
which are the
transport vessels of
the plant.
• In plants, photosynthesis mainly takes place in the leaves
and little or none in stems, depending on the presence of
chlorophyll. The typical parts of the leaves include the
upper and lower epidermis, mesophyll spongy layer,
vascular bundles and stomata. The upper and lower
epidermis protects the leaves and has nothing to do with
photosynthetic processes. The mesophyll has the most
number of chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll. They are
important in trapping light energy from the sun. Vascular
bundles (phloem and xylem) serve as transporting vessels
of manufactured food and water. Carbon dioxide and
oxygen are collected in the spongy layer and enter and
exit the leaf through the stomata.
• The parts of a chloroplast include the outer and inner
membranes, intermembrane space, stroma, and
thylakoids stacked in grana. The chlorophyll is built into
the membranes of the thylakoids. Chlorophyll absorbs
white light, but it looks green because white light consists
of three primary colors: red, blue and green. Only red and
blue are absorbed, thus making these colors unavailable
to our eyes while the green light is reflected which makes
the chlorophyll looks green. However, the energy from red
and blue light that is absorbed will be used in
photosynthesis. The green light that we can see is not
absorbed by the plant, Thus, cannot be used to do
photosynthesis.
INSIDE A LEAF A very thin cross section of a leaf can be viewed under the
microscope to reveal its internal structure.
 Typical Structure of a Chloroplast
• A chloroplast is enclosed by a double membrane – an outer
membrane and an inner membrane. The outer membrane is
smooth while the inner membrane is thrown into tube like
structures. Between these membranes is a space called
intermembrane compartment. Next to the inner membrane is a
space called stroma. Stroma contains a complex mixture of
enzymes and water. Embedded in the stroma is a complex
network of stacked sacs.
• Each stack is called a granum (grana). A granum is made up of
flattened sacs called thylakoid. The photosynthetic pigments
are found in thylakoids.
One granum is connected to another through stromal lamella.
A chloroplast contains 40-60 grana. A granum may have two or
three – hundred thylakoids.
Parts of a Chloroplast
Plant Cells
The photograph below is an elodea leaf X 400.
Individual cells are clearly visible. The tiny
green structures within the cells are
chloroplasts.
This is where
photosynthesis
happens.
 Plants
Leaves are green
because they
contain
the pigment:
chlorophyll

Leaves have a
large surface area
to absorb as much
"Thanks for the Glucose!"
light as possible.
Chloroplasts
make the
oxygen too!
 Stomata (Singular:Stoma)
Can you name the two important gases that go in and out
of the leaves?

Why are the

stomata
located on the
underside of
leaves?
 ANSWER:
• Stomata are mostly found on the lower
surface of the leaf of land plants. They consist
of two specialized cells called guard cells.
Their main function is to allow gases such as
carbon dioxide, water vapor, and oxygen to
move rapidly into and out of the leaf.
Photosynthesis

Glucose provides the energy

and carbon needed to make
other plant materials like wax
and proteins.
 Energy Transformation in the Chloroplast
• The chloroplast is the photosynthetic unit in a plant cell
where changes in the form of energy occur. These energy
changes are opposite to that which happens in a
flashlight.
• In a flashlight, the chemical energy stored in the battery is
transformed to electrical energy which in turn is
converted to light energy.
• In contrast, energy changes in the chloroplast start with
light energy which changes to the energy of moving
electrons before finally being transformed to chemical
energy. This chemical energy is eventually stored in
glucose molecules.
Two Stages of Photosynthesis

Light- Light-
dependent independent
Reaction Reaction/Calvi
n Cycle
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
There are two stages of photosynthesis:
A) Light Reaction or Light-Dependent Reaction
 It happens in the presence of light.
 It occurs in the chloroplasts found in the leaves and converts
light energy to chemical energy. Chloroplasts consist of stacks
of thylakoids (called grana) which are embedded in the stroma.
 Water, one of the raw materials of photosynthesis is utilized
during this stage and facilitates the formation of free electrons
and oxygen. The energy harvested during this stage is stored in
the form of ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) and NADPH
(Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate
Hydrogen).These are short-lived energy storage molecules.
These products will be needed by the next stage to complete
the photosynthetic process.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
B. The Calvin Cycle/ Light – Independent
Reaction (Dark Reaction)
-It takes place in the stroma and converts
carbon dioxide into sugar.
- This stage does not directly need light but
needs the products of light reaction. Thus,
it occurs immediately after the light-
dependent phase.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Light-Independent reaction (Dark Reaction)/
Calvin Cycle
– Does not require light
– Calvin Cycle
• Occurs in stroma of chloroplast
• Requires CO2
• Uses ATP and NADPH as fuel to run
• Makes glucose sugar from CO2 and Hydrogen
 RESPIRATION
• Organisms whether autotrophs or heterotrophs
release stored energy in food through the process
of respiration. Respiration occurs in the cells of
organisms.
• Breathing and respiration are two related
processes with different meanings.
• Breathing is the exchange of gases between
organisms and the environment. A constant
supply of air into our lungs, specifically oxygen, is
essential for us to stay alive. This is because
oxygen plays a critical role in the process of
respiration.
 Cellular Respiration
• Respiration is the release of energy (ATP) through the
breakdown of molecules in the presence of oxygen. It
takes place in the cell which is why some biologists use the
term cellular respiration to differentiate it from breathing.
• Respiration breaks down glucose into carbon dioxide,
water and energy (ATP) in the presence of oxygen.
• Cellular respiration takes place both in eukaryotic and
prokaryotic cells. Cellular respiration can be aerobic
respiration in the presence of oxygen or anaerobic
respiration in the absence of oxygen.
 Why do we need food?
• Organisms need food as the main source of energy. All
organisms need energy to perform essential life processes.
• The food must be digested to simple forms such as
glucose, amino acids and triglycerides. These are
transported to the cells. The immediate energy source of
the cells is glucose. Glucose inside the cell is broken down
to release the stored energy . This stored energy is
harvested in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is a high- energy molecule needed by working cells.
 The Energy “Currency” of the Cell
• Organisms store or deposit energy in food
molecules such as sugars, starch and fats. Every
time the cell needs energy, it “withdraws” or
releases energy from these food molecules
through the process of respiration.
• However, the cell does not use the released
energy directly. Rather, energy is captured in ATP
molecule which the cell can readily use.
• In effect, ATP is the energy currency of the cell.
The cell uses ATP for growth, reproduction,
movement and other activities.
 Comparison between Photosynthesis and
Respiration
BASIS OF COMPARISON Photosynthesis Respiration

Cell structure involved chloroplast mitochondrion

Starting/Raw Materials Carbon dioxide and water Sugar and oxygen

End Products Sugar and oxygen Carbon dioxide and water

Energy requirement Sunlight/ light energy ATP

 Factors Affecting the Rate of
Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide Water Light Chlorophyll Nutrient Temperature

Concentration Availability Element
 Factors Affecting the Rate of
Photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide concentration: It is the most
important external factor affecting the rate of
photosynthesis of plants. If the concentration of
carbon dioxide is increased, the rate of photosynthesis
will therefore increase.

Water Availability: Water has a primary function as

the main raw material in the process of photosynthesis
as well as carbon dioxide. If there is water shortage,
stomata on the leaves will close and making the
carbon dioxide not be able to be absorbed and into the
chloroplast.
 Factors Affecting the Rate of
Photosynthesis
Light: Increasing the light intensity increases
the rate of photosynthesis, until some limiting
factor becomes short in supply.

Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll absorbs light that enters

it. But it doesn’t absorb all of it. Leaves with more
chlorophyll are able to absorb more light required
for photosynthesis. Thus, more chlorophyll present
means the rate of photosynthesis increases.
 Factors Affecting the Rate of
Photosynthesis
Nutrient elements: These are the main nutrients
needed by plants in metabolism. The nutrient element
is a mineral as well as an organic material that can be
obtained by absorption by roots in the soil. For
example, in conducting photosynthesis, chlorophyll
requires magnesium ions that can only be obtained
from the root of the soil.

Temperature: Temperatures that are too high will make

the leaves close most of their stomata to minimize the rate
of transpiration (evaporation). This process results in
carbon dioxide cannot be absorbed by the leaves and
photosynthesis process will experience slowdown.
Meanwhile, if the temperature is too low, the water
contained in the plant will freeze so that the nutrient
circulation from root to leaf cannot occur.
 Chloroplasts and Mitochondria
Relationship
• Two cell parts are essential in supplying
organisms with energy. One is the
chloroplast which makes food. The other is
the mitochondrion which releases stored
energy in food.
• Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast of
plant and algae cells while respiration takes
place in the mitochondrion of plant animal
cells.
 Released Energy in the Mitochondrion
• The breakdown of glucose involves three
major steps: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle and
Electron transport chain.
• The first step happens in the cytoplasm
while the two remaining steps occur in the
mitochondrion.
• All in all, the three steps produce 36 ATP
molecules.
Production of ATP molecules from glucose breakdown occurs in cellular
respiration which involves 3 major steps:

• Glycolysis - occurs in the cytoplasm .In a series of chemical

reactions, glucose, a 6-Carbon sugar breaks down into two molecules
of a 3- carbon molecule called pyruvates, so there are two
pyruvates, each consisting of 3 Carbons. The energy released from
glucose is trapped in ATP molecules. This process eventually yields a
net gain of 2 ATP molecules and also produces 2 NADH. NADH is an
electron-carrier molecule that temporarily stores energy.
• Krebs cycle (Citric acid cycle) – It takes place in the mitochondrial
matrix and generates a pool of chemical energy (ATP, NADH and
FADH2) from the oxidation of pyruvate, the end product of glycolysis.
Pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria and loses carbon
dioxide to form acetyl-coenzyme A, a 2-carbon molecule. When
acetyl- coenzyme A is oxidized to carbon dioxide in the Krebs cycle,
chemical energy is released and captured in the form of NADH, FADH2
and ATP.
• Electron Transport Chain – occurs in the mitochondrion.
The electrons in NADH and FADH2 flow through a series of
electron transport acceptors. These are located in the
inner membrane of the mitochondrion. The flow of
electrons and hydrogen ions results in ATP formation. The
last electron acceptor in the chain is oxygen. The
electrons, hydrogen ions and oxygen combine to form
water.
• Energy is released a little at a time which is captured in
ATP. For every molecule of glucose, a total number of 36
ATP molecules are formed.