U3 Cell Energy NOTES Name: Juan Castellanos

L3.2 - Photosynthesis

1. All living things need ENERGY to survive and carry out life’s processes!

Where does this chemical energy come from?

2. Chemical energy that organisms need to function comes from food

3. The nearly universal FOOD for life is the sugar called glucose, which stores chemical energy
in the cells in a stable form.

4. Where does the GLUCOSE come from? - It is made through a process called phosynthesis.

5. Which organisms carry out photosynthesis? = plants, algae, and some bacteria.

Provide some examples of these types or organisms:

Examples of these types of organisms include trees, flowers, seaweed, and cyanobacteria.

6. Photosynthesis reaction takes place in the chloroplasts in plant cells.

7. Chloroplast structure:
Label the parts of the chloroplast:
The chloroplast structure includes the stroma, grana, thylakoids, outer membrane, and inner
membrane.

Why are chloroplasts (and plants) GREEN in color?

8. Chloroplasts contain pigments that absorb light, including chlorophyll = molecules that
ABSORB light

9. In plants, the most common pigment is called chlorophyll.

10. Chlorophyll pigment:

ABSORBS = Red & Blue light.
REFLECTS = green light (which is why GREEN is the color we see when we look at plants!)

11. WHERE in the plant are chloroplasts mostly found – In leaf cells.

12. Leaves have tiny holes called stomata in which carbon dioxide gas ENTERS and oxygen and
water gas LEAVES.

Photosynthesis chemical equation:

The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2. Carbon
dioxide comes from the air and enters through stomata in leaves. Water is absorbed via the roots and
transported up xylem to leaves. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll pigments.
Source of Reactants:

Carbon dioxide = comes from the air; enters through small openings in leaves called stomata in
leaves.
Water = absorbed via the roots of the plant and transported up though the xylem to leaves.
Light energy = absorbed by chlorophyl and pigments.

Chemical reaction occurs! Molecules of carbon dioxide and water are broken down and rearranged to
form products

Products of Photosynthesis:
Glucose = carbohydrate molecule that stores chemical energy for later use
Oxygen = byproduct that is realesed into the atmosphere through the stomata

13. Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis:

• Light intensity - the rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing light intensity up to a
certain point, beyond which the rate levels off.
• Carbon dioxide concentration - the rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing carbon
dioxide concentration up to a certain point, beyond which the rate levels off.
 14. Why is photosynthesis ESSENTIAL to life on Earth?
A. Glucose formed in this process becomes MAIN energy source for most living things
B. Photosynthesis produces majority of oxygen gas in atmosphere - needed for the processes of
resppiration and combustion.

Photosynthesis: What you need to know!

Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is carried out by plants,
Who? algae, and some bacteria.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts

of plant and algal cells, as well as in the
Where occur?
cell membranes of some bacteria.

Photosynthesis can occur whenever light

When? is available, but it is most efficient when
the intensity and duration of light are
 optimal.

The reactants for photosynthesis are

carbon dioxide, water, and light energy.
Carbon dioxide is obtained from the air
through small openings called stomata in
Reactants (Input)
the leaves, while water is absorbed from
the soil and transported up through the
plant's vascular system.

The products of photosynthesis are

glucose, a carbohydrate molecule that
Products (Output) stores energy, and oxygen gas, which is
released into the atmosphere.

The energy source for photosynthesis is

light energy, which is absorbed by
Energy Sources pigments called chlorophyll in the
chloroplasts of plant and algal cells.

During the process of photosynthesis,

light energy is converted into chemical
energy in the form of glucose. This is an
energy storage process, as the energy is
stored in the glucose molecule and can be
Energy Result (energy stored or
used by the plant or other organisms that
released?)
consume it for energy. Oxygen gas is also
produced as a byproduct of
photosynthesis, and is released into the
atmosphere.

STOP and THINK!

Explain why the following statement is true:

Plants play a crucial role in the lives of other organisms, including humans
Plants play a crucial role in the lives of other organisms, including humans, because they are the
primary producers of energy in most ecosystems. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants
capture energy from the sun and convert it into a form that can be used by living organisms, including
animals and humans.
Plants are also an important source of food for many organisms, including herbivores that feed directly
on plants, and carnivores that eat other animals that have fed on plants. In addition, plants provide
habitat and shelter for many organisms, and they play an important role in regulating the Earth's climate
by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing oxygen.
Furthermore, plants have many other uses for humans, such as providing raw materials for building,
clothing, and medicine. They also have aesthetic and cultural value, and contribute to the overall well-
being of human societies.
In summary, plants are essential to the survival and well-being of many organisms, including humans,
and their importance cannot be overstated.

U3 Cell Energy NOTES Name: Juan Castellanos

L3.2 - Photosynthesis Process - IN DETAIL

Photosynthesis is consists of two stages:

Stage 1 – Light Dependent Reactions

The first stage of photosynthesis, called the light-dependent reactions, and transfers energy from
sunlight to ATP.

Where Occur? The thylakoid membrane in chloroplast

Inputs? Carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is obtained from

the air through small openings called
stomata in the leaves.
Water (H2O) is absorbed by the roots of the
plant and transported up through the xylem
to the leaves.→ absorbed via roots
 What occurs? 15. Sunlight absorbed by pigments called
chlorophyl which excited electrons
16. Electron split water → releases oxygen
gas into air
17. NADP+ picks up 2 e- and H+ to form
electron carrier molecule NADPH
18. ADP converted to ATP.

Outputs? Oxygen gas O2 → released into atmosphere

ATP and NADPH → transport energy to Stage
2
ATP and NADPH → transport energy to Stage
2

Does this reaction require light to proceed (Yes or No)? the light-independent reactions of
photosynthesis (also known as the Calvin cycle) do not require light to proceed, as they use the
energy stored in ATP and NADPH to fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules.

Stage 2 - of photosynthesis is called the light-independent Reactions (also called Calvin Cycle)

Where Occur? The light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) of

photosynthesis occur in the stroma of
chloroplast

Inputs? Carbon Dioxide CO2→ enters leaves from

atmosphere
ATP and NADPH → from Stage 1
ATP and NADPH → from Stage 1

What occurs? 19. Carbon Dioxide CO2 (from the

atmosphere) is added to the cycle
20. ATP and NADHP “power” the chemical
reactions of the cycle
21. Through a series of chemical reactions
a molecule of 3-PGA to G3P is made.
 Outputs? Carbohydrate molecule → stores energy for
later user
NAPDH→ back to Stage 1 to get “recharged”
NAPDH → back to Stage 1 to get “recharged”

Does this reaction require light to proceed (Yes or No)? _____________