-Photosynthesis-

• Plants make their own food through photosynthesis - The food produced is the sugar called glucose
• Food produced by plants is important for the plants themselves and for other organisms that feed on the plants
• Plant biomass increases as a result of photosynthesis
• During photosynthesis, plants produce glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water, using light energy from the Sun
• Equations summarizing photosynthesis:

  • 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
• Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction that requires light energy to react carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen
• The light energy required is absorbed by a green pigment called chlorophyll in the leaves - Chlorophyll is located in chloroplasts in plant cells
• Plant leaves are the main organ for photosynthesis
• Carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis comes from the air and enters leaves through the stomata
• Water enters the plant through the roots and is transported to the leaves in the xylem
• Oxygen is formed as a product of photosynthesis - Some oxygen is used for respiration
• During the day, if the rate of photosynthesis is high enough, plants and algae give out oxygen
• Some of the glucose produced by photosynthesis is used for respiration
• Glucose is used to make materials that plants need to live, such as cell walls and other cell components
• Glucose enables plant growth and an increase in biomass
• The word equation for photosynthesis is as follows: Carbon dioxide + water + (light energy) glucose + oxygen gas.