Unit 2B: Metabolism

Part I:
Photosynthesis
 Overarching Themes:
1. How is light energy ABSORBED from Plants?
2. How do plants TRANSFORM light energy?
3. What structures help plants OBTAIN light
energy?
 Leaf Structures
Leaves have complicated structures
with important features for plant
function and photosynthesis. We are
going to focus on the stomata and
the waxy cuticle.
Stomata: small holes in leaves and
other plant structures that allows for
gas exchange.
Cuticle: a waxy covering on leaves
that allows them to retain water.
 The Chloroplast
● Photosynthesis takes place in
the chloroplasts.
● Chloroplasts contain
pigments that allow
photosynthesis to take place.
● These pigments absorb light
energy to convert to chemical
energy.
● The main pigment used is
called chlorophyll.
 What is Photosynthesis
The process of converting LIGHT energy into
CHEMICAL energy.
The equation for this chemical reaction is:
H2O + CO2 → C6H12O6 + O2

Label which are the reactants and products.

 Autotrophs vs. Heterotrophs
An organism that makes its own food is called an
autotroph.
● Ex: Plants, photosynthetic bacteria

An organism that has to eat food is called a

heterotroph.
● Ex: Humans, Bears, Ants
 Colors of Light

Which color of light is used

in photosynthesis? Watch
this video and note which
are absorbed, reflected,
and transmitted.
 Chlorophyll Absorption Rates
There are several pigments in plants,
but we are specifically going to look
at chlorophyll a and b.

Which colors of light are most

absorbed by chlorophyll a? What
about chlorophyll b?
Chlorophyll a: violet and orange
Chlorophyll b: blue and yellow
 What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis?
1. The amount of light (intensity, color, length of
exposure)
2. Amount of water
3. Amount of CO2
4. Temperature