Photosynthesis : Why is it so Important? parvovirus

Photosynthesis : 6 CO2 + 6H2O + energy ---------> C6H12O6 + 6O2

In the process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon doxide from the air through specialized cells on the undersides of their leaves :

In the process of photosynthesis, plants take in water through their roots :

In the process of photosynthesis, plants catch the energy of sunlight in the chloroplasts, usually found in the leaves

In the process of photosynthesis, plants make glucose, a simple sugar

In the process of photosynthesis, plants release oxygen gas

Plants carry out respiration as well - the energy in glucose is broken down using oxygen, carbon dioxide and water are released.

The products of photosynthesis are the reactants of respiration - or, what “goes into” photosynthesis “comes out of” respiration

Why is photosynthesis so important? 1. Our atmosphere contains oxygen because of early photosynthesizing life forms - the blue-green algae - cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, were the first photosynthetic organisms (2.7 billion years ago) - the oxygen they produced during their first 2 billion years of photosynthesis resulted in the later explosion of oxygen-using life forms

2. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide 2. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide. This keeps carbon dioxide from building up in the atmosphere and causing a “greenhouse effect”, or warming of the earth.

3. ALL of the energy our bodies use is provided by energy trapped during photosynthesis pizza : - cheese - sauce - toppings crust

4. Coal, oil, and gas all contain energy that was trapped by the sun by plants around 300 million years ago. (“fossil fuels”)

our electricity is produced from burning fossilized photosynthesis products (fossil fuels)

5. Many fabrics are made from the products of photosynthesis (plant parts made from the products of photosynthesis).

6. Plastics and synthetic fibers (polyester, carpet) are made from oil, a fossil fuel from ancient plant remains made by the process of photosynthesis.

7. Paper and wood products are made from plants, the products of photosynthesis.

Equation for photosynthesis : Equation for respiration : Equation for fermentation :

Equation for photosynthesis : 6 CO2 + 6H2O + energy ---------> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Equation for respiration : C6H12O6 + 6O2 ---------> 6 CO2 + 6H2O + energy

Equation for fermentation: C6H12O6 ---------> alcohol + CO2 + energy