Photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis


  A process used by plants to make their own food, where they capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy stored in food
• Photosynthesis process


  1. Capture light energy

  2. Convert light energy into chemical energy

  3. Store chemical energy in food
• Photosynthesis


  • Derived from two words: photo (light) and synthesis (putting together)
  • Requires raw materials: sunlight, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, water
• Raw materials for photosynthesis

  • Sunlight
  • Chlorophyll
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Water
• Photosynthesis stages


  1. Light reaction (outside leaf)

  2. Calvin cycle (inside leaf)
• Light reaction


  • Occurs in thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts
  • Produces ATP, NADPH, and oxygen
• Calvin cycle


  • Occurs in stroma of chloroplasts
  • Uses ATP, NADPH, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose
• Chloroplast


  An organelle found only in plant cells that is the site of photosynthesis
• Parts of a chloroplast

  • Outer membrane
  • Inner membrane
  • Granum
  • Thylakoid
  • Stroma
• Chlorophyll is the green pigment in plants that is essential for photosynthesis
• Light activates photosynthesis


  Light reaction occurs, producing ATP, NADPH, and oxygen
• ATP, NADPH, and carbon dioxide are used

  Calvin cycle occurs, producing glucose
• The chemical equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
• The products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen
• The raw materials for photosynthesis are carbon dioxide, water, and light energy