Photosynthesis

Cell Energy: Originally, the energy in food comes from the sun.

Photosynthesis is the process by which the energy of sunlight is converted into the energy of glucose

Organisms that CANNOT use the sun’s energy to make food—heterotrophs Ex: animals and most microorganisms

Organisms that use light energy from the sun to produce food—autotrophs (auto = self) Ex: plants and some microorganisms (some bacteria and protists)

Photosynthesis occurs on plant leaves

More specifically, photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of leaf

in chloroplasts is the pigment _____________ http://www.russianflora.com/store/images/product/custom_green_plant_35.jpg The main energy absorbing molecule in chloroplasts is the pigment _____________ CHLOROPHYLL http://www.rnzih.org.nz/images/gardenimages/carrots_d.jpg

Carotenoids are plant pigments too. http://www.russianflora.com/store/images/product/custom_green_plant_35.jpg Carotenoids are plant pigments too. These look yellow, orange, and red. As chlorophyll dies in the fall, the green color fades and is replaced by carotenoids http://www.rnzih.org.nz/images/gardenimages/carrots_d.jpg

The formula for photosynthesis: