Photosynthesis

Autotrophs Can Do This

 Leaf Cross Section

Leaf

Mesophyll

Vein

CO2 O2 Stoma
Mesophyll Cell

Chloroplast
Chloroplast

Outer and inner

membranes

Thylakoid Intermembrane
Stroma Granum space
Thylakoid
space
 Chloroplasts
• Draw and label a chloroplast:
 The Reaction
• Carbon dioxide + water --------- glucose + oxygen
 Light
energy
6 CO2 +6 H2 O C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Carbon dioxide Water Glucose Oxygen gas
Photosynthesis
 ‘Other’ participants:
• How do chloroplasts harvest energy from the
sun?
• Pigments absorb solar energy.
• Include:
• Chlorophyll a and b
• Carotenoids (yellow and orange pigments);
are accessory pigments; harvest wavelengths
of light that the chlorophylls cannot
 Photosynthesis has two major sets of
reactions:
• Light Reactions: • Calvin Cycle:
• In the thylakoids • In the stroma
• Oxidizes H2O for the e-; • Reduces CO2 to make
releases O2 gas glucose
• Loads up a coenzyme, • Uses the ATP and
NADPH, for the next electrons from NADPH
reactions from the light reactions
• Makes ATP by
chemiosmosis (has ATP
synthase; uses H+
gradient)
The Light Reactions
Chemiosmosis across the thylakoid
membrane
The Calvin Cycle
 Alternate Pathways
• C4 plants: • CAM plants:
• Partially close their • Live in very hot, dry
stomata during the day climates (deserts)
to save water • Close stomata during
• Can still make sugar the day; open them at
because they have an night
alternate way of using • Grow VERY slowly
CO2 • Ex. Cacti; pineapples
• Ex.: corn, sugar cane
 Chemosynthesis
• Some organisms can make their own food (are
autotrophs), but do not use sunlight as their
energy source.
• Use chemicals in their environment
• These organisms include bacteria that live
deep in the ground and in deep sea thermal
vents