Photosynthesis It is the process of capturing the energy in sunlight and changing it into a form of energy found in glucose molecules. (C6H12O6). In Photosynthesis, plants take in water (H2O) from the ground and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and convert sunlight energy into glucose and O2.

Photosynthesis occurs within the chloroplasts of plants, specifically within disk-like structures called thylakoids. Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts. Chlorophyll is responsible for absorbing the sunlight energy for photosynthesis.

http://www.fw.vt.edu/dendro/forestbiology/photosynthesis.swf

Equation light 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 What do you notice about this equation? It is the reverse of cellular respiration showing these are two complementary processes working together to establish balance in energy.

Light Reaction Carbon Fixation Reaction

Autotrophs vs Heterotrophs Organisms that can photosynthesize are called autotrophs (or producers) and are at the beginning of food chains. Ex. cyanobacteria, some protists, all plants Organisms that cannot photosynthesize are called heterotrophs (or consumers). They rely on glucose for energy, but they cannot make it so they must get it by eating from further down the food chain. Ex. fungi, animals

Cyanobacteria - Algae

Photosynthetic Protists euglena volvox

Photosynthetic Protists diatom dinoflagellates

Photosynthetic Protists

COPY DOWN ON BACK OF P/S PPT NOTES Most of the oxygen in the air that we breathe is the result of photosynthesis. In fact, the majority of the oxygen comes from microscopic organisms called phytoplankton which live in the oceans.