Homeostasis & Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is the process by which photoautotrophs capture the sun's energy and use it to create energy-rich sugars like glucose.
• Solar energy is converted to stored chemical potential energy in the bonds of glucose during photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis in words: carbon dioxide, water, & solar energy make glucose, & oxygen.
• The balanced equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) + solar energy C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g).
• Earth’s energy source is the sun, which provides nearly all of the earth’s energy in the form of solar radiation, which includes light, heat, and UV radiation.
• Before plants, algae and phytoplankton used water for photosynthesis, and bacteria used H2S and other organic compounds to turn CO2 into organic compounds.
• Early cyanobacteria were the first organisms to use water to “fix” carbon.
• The use of water introduced oxygen (O2) into the environment as a by-product.
• The start of photosynthesis was a turning point for Earth’s history, slowly changing the Precambrian atmosphere into the oxygen-rich environment we have today.
• Though microscopic, early cyanobacteria have made a permanent impact on the Earth’s environment.
• Cyanobacteria are the only bacteria that contain a green-coloured pigment called chlorophyll a.
• Chlorophyll a is a chemical required for photosynthesis and is also used by plants and algae.
• The formula for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
• Cyanobacteria builds stromatolites by sticking sediments together. This creates a protective mat.
• Cyanobacteria needs sunlight to photosynthesize, as cyanobacteria is an autotroph.
• Autotrophs make their own food using energy from light or chemicals.
• When the mats layer on the cyanobacteria which is called stromatolites, when it gets too thick the cycle repeats.
• Catabolic Pathway is the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler molecules.
• Anabolic Pathways synthesizes larger molecules from smaller ones.