BIOLOGY PROJECT

Chapter-6 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
What is PHOTOSYNTHESIS ?
o Photosynthesis in a way is the most
significant life process-it provides food not
only to the plant itself but to all animals life
including humans as well, and also the life
supporting free oxygen in the atmosphere
for breathing.
o DEFINITION-Photosynthesis is the process
by which living plant cells containing
chlorophyll produced food
substance(glucose and starch),from carbon
dioxide and water ,by using light
energy.Plants release oxygen as a by-
product during photosynthesis.
Importance of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
o Food for all-Photosynthesis the source of
energy and food for all living beings-
directly for plants and indirectly for
animals and human beings who eat the
plants or the plants-eating animals.
o Oxygen to breathe in-Photosynthesis is
the biological process which releases
oxygen into the atmosphere.
CHLOROPHYLL-The important Plant
PIGMENT
o CHLOROPHYLL-Chlorophyll is the green coloring matter found
in plants.It is contained in microscopic cells organelles called
chloroplasts.
o Chloroplasts –They are minute oval bodies bounded by a
double membrane,and their interior contains closely packed
flattened sacs arranged in piles lying in a colorless ground
substance called stroma.Ordinarilly,there may be 40-50
chloroplast in a cell.The pigment chlorophyll is contained in
the walls of thylakoids.It is highly substance, composed of
carbon,hydrogen,oxygen,nitrogen and magnesium.
o Chlorophyll-It absorb light at both ends of the visible
spectrum .i.e.BLUE and RED light,and reflect away the green
light.That is why chlorophyll appears green. The absorbed
blue and red lights are most effective for photosynthesis.
Opening and Closing of Stomata
 Potassium ion Concentration -K+ ion theory was
proposed by Levitt in 1974. He states that:- During
light:- Starch is converted to PEP ( phosphoenol pyruvic
acid) which combines with CO to form oxaloacteic acid
(OAA) and ánally to malic acid. ... K ions are balanced by
malateions present in guard cells and also by taking in
some Cl ions.
 Sugar Concentration-Sugar concentration theory is very

old theory according to which in the daytime, guard cells

of the plant leaf start the process of photosynthesis and
the sugarproduced in the cell results in increase of
osmotic pressure giving rise to endosmosis and solvent
molecules move from higher to lower concentration
Process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 During the process of photosynthesis, plants
capture light energy and use it to convert
water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into
oxygen (released into the air)
andglucose (stored in the plant and used as
food). The photosynthesis process occurs in
all plants and algae, as well as in some
bacteria species.
Phases of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Phase 1-Light Independent
Phase=Photosynthesis occurs in two stages in
a cell. In the first stage, light-
dependent reactions capture the energy
of light and use it to make the energy-
storage and transport molecules ATP and
NADPH. ... Energy (in the form of ATP) would
be wasted in carrying out these reactions that
have no net productivity.
Phases of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Phase 2 – Light Independent Phase (Dark)=
 Light reactions need light to produce organic

energy molecules (ATP and NADPH). They are

initiated by colored pigments, mainly green
colored chlorophylls.Dark reactions make use
of these organic energy molecules (ATP and
NADPH). This reaction cycle is also called
Calvin Benison Cycle, and it occurs in the
stroma.
End products of PHOTOSYTHESIS
 Photosynthesis is the name given to the set of chemical reactions
performed by plants to convert energy from the sun into chemical
energy in the form of sugar. Specifically, plants use energy from sunlight
to react carbon dioxide and water to produce sugar (glucose) and 
oxygen. Many reactions occur, but the overall chemical reaction for
photosynthesis is:
 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
 Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light yields Glucose + Oxygen
 In a plant, the carbon dioxide enters via leaf stomates by diffusion.
Water is absorbed through the roots and is transported to leaves
through the xylem. Solar energy is absorbed by chlorophyll in the leaves.
The reactions of photosynthesis occur in the chloroplasts of plants. In
photosynthetic bacteria, the process takes place where chlorophyll or a
related pigment is embedded in the plasma membrane. The oxygen and
water produced in photosynthesis exit through the stomata.
Factors afffecting PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 This biological process is also used by algae to convert solar energy into chemical energy. Oxygen
is liberated as a by-product, and light is considered as the major factor to complete the process of
photosynthesis.
 This process occurs usually when plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into
glucose and oxygen gas. Leaves are made up of small cells which have tiny structures known as
chloroplasts.
 Each chloroplast contains a green coloured pigment called chlorophyll. Light energy is absorbed by
chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon dioxide and oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata
located in the epidermis of leaves.
 Oxygen is considered to be one of the most important by-products of this process. Nearly all living
organisms on earth depend upon this essential element. Another by-product of this process is
sugars such as glucose and fructose.
 These sugars are then sent to the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds. In other words,
these sugars are used by the plants as an energy source, which helps them to grow. These sugar
molecules then combine with each other to form more complex carbohydrates like cellulose and
starch. The cellulose is considered as the structural material that is used in plant cell walls.
 However, these anaerobic microorganisms began to die out as these ancient photosynthetic
organisms began producing oxygen, which was particularly toxic to these microbes. And since
then, oxygen started to gradually accumulate in the earth’s atmosphere, rising up to the levels we
are familiar with today.
 Life on earth would have been completely different, if not for these ancient photosynthetic
organisms.
Experiments on PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Experiment 1-Demonstration of Release of Oxygen during Photosynthesis.
 Requirement :
 Few branches of an aquatic plant, i.e., Hydrilia, etc., beaker, glass funnel, test
tube, sodium bicarbonate, etc.
 Experiment :
 The release of oxygen during photosynthetic process may be proved
experimentally. A few branches of an aquatic plant, Hydrilla are kept in a big
beaker full of the same pond water.
 Thereafter, the branches are covered with a glass funnel, and a test tube full of
water is inverted at the end of the funnel as shown in the figure. If required, a
small quantity of sodium bicarbonate may be added in the water, so that the
supply of carbon dioxide may become adequate for the photosynthesis. Now, the
apparatus is kept in the sunlight.
 Observation :
 The gas bubbles may be observed from the ends of the Hydrilla branches kept
under the glass funnel in the beaker. These gas bubbles are accumulated in the
end of the test tube inverted over the end of the funnel, and the water within the
tube goes downward. On test the gas is to be proved oxygen.
Experiment on PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Experiment 2-Demonstration of Starch Test.
 Requirement :
 Green leaves of a plant, burner, water, 70% alcohol, dilute iodine

solution.
 Experiment :
 The green leaves of any healthy plant may be boiled in the day time

thereafter, by keeping the leaves in 70% alcohol, the chlorophyll is

extracted from them. Now these chlorophyll-less leaves are kept for
some-time in dilute iodine solution. The leaves become deep blue or
blue black in colour.

 Explanation :
 As the plant was kept in darkness continuously for a long period,

there was no photosynthesis, and the starch already prepared was

shifted to the lower part of the plant during this period.
Importance of PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Photosynthesis uses light energy from the sun and carbon
dioxide and water in the atmosphere to make food for
plants, trees, algae and even some bacteria. It releases
oxygen as a byproduct. 
 It is the number one source of oxygen in the atmosphere.
 It contributes to the carbon cycle between the earth, the
oceans, plants and animals.
 It contributes to the symbiotic relationship between
plants, humans and animals.

 It directly or indirectly affects most life on Earth.

 It serves as the primary energy process for most trees and
plants. 
Carbon Cycle
 Even though carbon dioxide is found in small traces in the atmosphere, it
plays a vital role in balancing the energy and traps the long wave radiations
from the sun. Therefore, it acts like a blanket over the planet. If the carbon
cycle is disturbed it will result in serious consequences such as climatic
changes and global warming. Carbon is an integral component of every life
form on earth. From proteins and lipids to even our DNA.  Furthermore, all
known life on earth is based on carbon. Hence, carbon cycle along with the
nitrogen cycle and oxygen cycle plays a vital role in the existence of life on
earth.
 Carbon Cycle Definition :
 It is the process where carbon compounds are interchanged among the
biosphere, geosphere, pedosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere of the
earth.
 In other words, this cycle portrays the movement of carbon which is found in
both elemental as well as a combined state on earth. Diamond and graphite
are the elemental forms of carbon and in combined state, it is found as
carbonates in minerals and as carbon dioxide gas in the atmosphere.