Photosynthesis

By
Adnan Ali BS Botany
0301-80187812
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• The word photosynthesis is the marriage of two words
‘photos’ means “Light” and ‘Synthesis’ means “To
prepare”/”Manufacture”.
• Photosynthesis is an oxidation reduction process in which
plants can prepare their own food (organic) from
inorganic substances like Co2 + H2O with the help of
sunlight and photosynthetic pigments.
• The formation of carbon containing compounds from
carbon dioxide and water in green cells of plants by the use
of light energy , water and oxygen being by the products.
• The process by which autotropic organisms use light
energy to make sugar and oxygen gas from carbon dioxide
 REACTION
• The overall reaction can be represented by the following
equation;-
sunlight

• 6CO2 + 6H2O Chlorophyll

C6H12O6+ 6H2O + 602
 Photosynthesis
• It is important to note out that the amount of Co2 consumed in
this process is equal to the amount of oxygen liberated, but all
the oxygen liberated in the process is released from water and
not from the Co2.
• First true photosynthesis is seen in cyanobacteria (oxygenic
photosynthesis).
• Land plants , Algae , cyanobacteria and photoautotropic
bacteria are Autotrophs (occurs in plants , Algae and some
prokaryotes).
• They are capable to prepare their own food while the others are
living organisms are Heterotrophs which depends for their foods.

• All the organisms directly 0r indirectly depend on the food

synthesized by the green plants by the process of photosynthesis.
Characteristics of Photosynthesis
• A life sustainable process by which the existence of life on the earth
depends.
• Anabolic process: Photosynthesis is an Anabolic process b/c small
molecules are combined together to form carbohydrates.
• Endergonic (endothermic process) b/c require sunlight as a source of
energy. sunlight as a source of energy.
• Physico chemical process;-mechanism of photosynthesis covert light
energy (physical form of energy) into glucose/starch (chemical form).
Prepared by Adnan Ali BS Bot 6th GPG College khar Bajaur Pak
0301-8018712 Page 5
• Redox process;- Light reaction (splitting of water) is an oxidation and dark
reaction(Co2 fixation) is a reaction step.
Essential Elements For
Photosynthesis
• The following elements are very essential/important for
photosynthesis to occurs;-
• Sunlight ( Ranges from 390 nm to 760 nm).
• Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll and carotenoids) .
• Co2 (A raw material).
• Water (Also a raw material).
• If any one of them is missed then the photosynthesis
process will not occur.
 Photosynthetic Reactants and
Products
➢ Reactants of photosynthesis;-
• Water
• Carbondioxide
➢ Products of photosynthesis;-
• Carbohydrates (Glucose/starch)
• Oxygen
• Water is used and produced in this process so its net yield
is zero.
• No photosynthesis = No Life
Comparison b/w photosynthesis
and Respiration
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESPIRATION
The food is made during photosynthesis The food is broken down during respiration
It is anabolic process. It is catabolic process
It occurs only in plants with green pigments. It occurs in plants and animals
Light is essential for photosynthesis. Light is not essential for respiration.
The cell organelle necessary is chloroplast. The cell organelle necessary is mitochondria.
O2 is released. O2 is taken in.
Co2 taken in. Co2 given out
It occurs mainly during the day. It continues day and night.
The glucose is end product The glucose is starting product
Energy from sunlight is stored in glucose. The stored energy in glucose is released
Light energy is converted potential energy. Potential energy is converted into kinetic energy.

The day weight of the plant increases due to synthesis of food The day weight of the plant decreases due to the utilization of
materials. food materials.
Energy id trapped. Energy is released.