STANDARD SC.912.L.18.7_ identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of photosynthesis.
|
STANDARD SC.912.L.18.10_ Connect the role of adenosine triphosphate to (ATP) to energy transfers within a cell.
|
Videos/ Tutorials
|
Worksheets |
What is photosynthesis and who does it?
- Photosynthesis is a biological process where food is made by photosynthetic organisms. These organisms are called
- autotrophs (they make their own food, do not need to feed of other organisms). They are the producers of food for all ecosystems of Earth.
- Photosynthetic organisms include: all members of the kingdom Plantae (plants), some members of the kingdom protista (algae) and some bacteria. See the examples below.
In a nutshell:
-Photosynthesis captures light energy from the sun and converts it into chemical energy stored in glucose.
What do photosynthetic organism need to make their own food?
This process requires carbon dioxide gas, water, and electromagnetic energy which the sun provides.
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) enters the plants through their leaves. Energy form the sun is also is absorbed through the leaves.
- Water (H2O) is absorbed by the plant's roots. Water then moves up through the stems to reach the leaves.
What plant cell organelle is involved in the process of photosynthesis?
|
How does photosynthesis happen?
It is a two-step process (in a nutshell)
A) Light Reactions:
B) Calvin Cycle:
|
How do photosynthetic organisms trap solar energy?
- Photosynthetic organisms contain light-absorbing molecules called pigments that absorb only specific wavelengths of visible light, while reflecting others.
- In plants, chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the main photosynthetic pigments. Chlorophyll molecules absorb blue and red wavelengths, as shown below.
- Pigments converts light energy into chemical energy (carbohydrates-sugars)