Biology- Pearson Edexcel international A level- Unit 4

Topic 5 – Energy flow, Ecosystems, and the environment

5.1 understand the overall reaction of photosynthesis as requiring energy from light to split apart
the strong bonds in water molecules, storing the hydrogen in a fuel (glucose) by combining it with
carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere

Carbon dioxide + Water  Glucose + oxygen H  +2880 kJ

6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 H  +2880 kJ

 Light energy + chlorophyll

The energy from light is used to break the strong H-O bonds in water molecules. The hydrogen which
is released is combined with carbon dioxide to form a fuel for the cell (glucose). Oxygen is released
into the atmosphere as a waste product of this process.

Photosynthesis takes in energy and uses carbon dioxide and water to synthesis glucose; it’s an
endothermic process.

5.2 understand how photophosphorylation of ADP requires energy and that hydrolysis of ATP
provides an immediate supply of energy for biological processes

Autotropic: Organisms that make complex compounds from simple compounds in the environment.

Heterotrophic: Organisms that obtain complex organic molecules by feeding on other living
organisms or their dead remains.

ATP ( Adenosine triphosphate) -