“Photosynthesis”_ _________Biology 6th Class

A. Light

Sunlight consists of:

• 4% Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• 44% Visible Light
• 52% Infrared (IR) Radiation

ROY G BIV
Red – Orange – Yellow – Green – Blue – Indigo – Violet
Most energy -----------------------------------------least energy

1. Characteristics of Visible Light

• Violet to Red
• Consists of Photons
• Photons travel in waves, having a measurable wavelength

λ - distance a photon travels during a complete vibration (nm)

What happens to light when it strikes and object?

1. Reflected
2. Transmitted (to pass through)
3. Absorbed - functions in photosynthesis

B. Photosynthetic Pigments
• Molecules that capture photon energy by absorbing certain wavelengths of
light

1. Primary Pigments
• Cholorophylis A and B

C. Chloroplasts – Site of photosynthesis

(concentrated in mesophyll cells of most plants)

>>> Chloroplast Structure

• Stroma – gelatinous matrix
• Thylakoid – flattened membranous sac; embedded with photosynthetic
pigments
• Granum – stack of thylakoids
 D. Photosynthesis

MEMORIZE

CO2 + H2O = C6H12O6 + O2 + H2O

1. Occurs in two stages

* Light Reactions – harvest photon energy to synthesize ATP and NADPH
* Calvin Cycle – creates sugar (glucose) by using CO2

Memorize the “PHOTOSYNTHESIS FIGURE 7.9” page 113

Plants that solely use the Calvin Cycle to fix carbon are called “C3 plants”

85% of all plant species are C3 plants

E. Photorespiration – counters photosynthesis

 Occurs when stomata close (hot and dry)
1. Oxygen levels increase
2. Carbon Dioxide levels decrease

Under these conditions, carbohydrates are not produced

F. C4 and CAM Photosynthesis – Adaptations to conserve water and reduce

photorespiration

• C4 Photosynthesis – C4 plants reduce photorespiration by physically

separating the light reactions and Calvin Cycle
• CAM Photosynthesis – CAM plants reduce photosynthesis by acquiring
CO2 at night

CAM - Crassulacean Acid Metabolism