photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis 


  conversion of light energy (E) into chemical (bond) energy
• Light energy

  Sunlight
• Sunlight (light E) is 


  converted to simple sugars
• Sunlight (light E) is converted into simple sugars.


  This is the idea of plants making their own food using light.
• photosynthesis itself occurs in photoautotrophs (plants).

  • part of producers
• Light

  • part of idea of electromagnetic (EM) energy
  • or EM spectrum which is
  • considered entire range of radiation
• Light (which is part of Electromagnetic E) is ultimately a part of

  • EM spectrum (entire range of radiation)
• Electromagnetic Energy

  • EM Spectrum (entire range of radiation)
  • focus on visible light
  • waves + wavelengths
• photon

  • small particle of light energy that plants utilize
  • energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. (this means a photon with short wavelength = high amount of E. High wavelength = low amount of E.)
  • make up visible light
• Visible light

  biological processes use visible light because it is the perfect amount of energy. (not too much which is too hard to harness or too little)
• when molecule absorbs photon...

  • electron (e-) becomes energized
  • if this e- was in a lower orbital and became energized by absorbing photon, it goes to a higher orbital.
  • lower energy level -> higher energy level
  • BUT... electron cannot stay at this high energy state
• When molecule absorbs photon (cont.)

  • electron will either
  • return to lower state (ground state) (going back to where it started). Electron will give off heat or light.
  • OR energized electron leaves atom and is accepted by electron acceptor (PHOTOSYNTHESIS)