Photosynthesis/Great Barrier Reef

Jonathan Singh and Danna Urriola. 12°A cc Tuesday October 29th of 2019

Photosynthesis

Introduction

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light

energyinto chemical energy that can later be released to fuel the organisms' activities. This
chemical energy is stored in carbohydratemolecules, such as sugars, which are
synthesized from carbon dioxide and water – hence the name photosynthesis, from
the Greek φῶς, phōs, "light", and σύνθεσις, synthesis, "putting together". In most
cases, oxygen is also released as a waste product. Most plants, most algae,
and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis; such organisms are called photoautotrophs.
Photosynthesis is largely responsible for producing and maintaining the oxygen content of
the Earth's atmosphere, and supplies all of the organic compounds and most of the energy
necessary for life on Earth.

Hypothesis

Many corals, as well as other cnidarian groups such as sea anemones form

a symbioticrelationship with a class of dinoflagellatealgae, zooxanthellae of the
genus Symbiodinium, which can form as much as 30% of the tissue of a polyp. Typically,
each polyp harbors one species of alga, and coral species show a preference
for Symbiodinium. Young corals are not born with zooxanthellae, but acquire the algae from
the surrounding environment, including the water column and local sediment. The main
benefit of the zooxanthellae is their ability to photosynthesize which supplies corals with
the products of photosynthesis, including glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which the
corals can use for energy. Now of course we didn’t get our hands in some live corals but
we did get our hands on some Elodea a fresh water plant that make photosynthesis in a
similar way as corals. Although an Elodea it’s a plant unlike the coral wich is symbiotic
relationship between hundreds of polyps and algea this is how it worksperform
photosynthesis to create sugars and other organic compounds that they need to
survive.Chlorophyll is a pigment in the chloroplast of the plant cell that absorbs energy
from light and uses it to create compounds needed in photosynthesis.Visible light is made
up of different colors of different wavelengths and energy.Certain wavelengths of light are
used by plants more than others.Plants use carbon dioxide and produce oxygen gas
during photosynthesis.They produce carbon dioxide during cellular respiration.
So in theory our fish should be able to use the oxygen produced by the plant.
Purpose
The purpose of this model, It’s to show how photosynthesis builds oxygen in the water and
helps the fish breath.
Conclusion
In conclusion the Elodea plant works in a similar fashion as Corals and builds oxygen in
the water for the fish to breath.
Ilustration