Photosynthesis (an overview) 8-2

Investigating Photosynthesis photosynthesis: the process that uses energy from sunlight to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into oxygen (O2) and carbohydrates (C6H12O6)

The Photosynthesis Equation light 6CO2 + 6H2O  C6H12O6 + 6O2 carbon dioxide + water  glucose + oxygen

Light and Pigments Plants have pigments: light absorbing molecules that capture the sun’s energy If the light is not absorbed, it is reflected…this is the color that we see.

Lights and Pigments Pigments Include: chlorophyll a chlorophyll b absorbs well in red and blue but poorly in green plants also have red , yellow and orange pigments that absorb other colors energy is transferred to electrons in pigments when they absorb sunlight

Inside a chloroplast Copy the following: Copy the following Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplasts of photoautotrophs Chloroplasts have two components: thylakoids: saclike membranes found in chloroplasts arranged in stacks known as grana contain pigments that capture sunlight stroma: gel-like matrix surrounding the thylakoids

Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast of photoautotrophs

The chloroplast

Reactions of photosynthesis Name the two reactions of photosynthesis. For each reaction: Name where it takes place List what is needed for the reaction. List what is produced Explain the importance of the reaction Found on pages 208-213