Photosynthesis

All life begins with…… THE SUN

Photosynthesis Equation Reactant: materials that go in Product: material that comes out Example: 2 + 2 = 4 There are products of 2 within 4 and we can breakdown 4 into 2’s. Rule: Whatever we have on one side we find on the other.

Photosynthesis Equation

PHOTOSYNTHESIS Autotrophic Process: MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD. Plants and plant- like organisms make their energy (glucose) from chemicals and solar energy.

Photosynthesis means “photo (which means "light") and synthesis (which means "to put together") Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar. Plants use glucose as food for energy and as a building block for growing. Autotrophs make glucose and heterotrophs are consumers of it.

Three ways plants use glucose: 1) Glucose can be used for quick energy.  2) Glucose can be made into plant structures. Glucose is a monomer that is linked together to make a polymer called cellulose. Cellulose makes up all leaves, stems, roots, bark, and other cellular tissue in a plant. 3) Glucose can be stored for later use. Glucose also makes polymers called starches to store sugars.

Why is photosynthesis important? Solar energy is being converted to chemical energy. Photosynthesis creates organic molecules (glucose) out of inorganic materials (carbon dioxide and water). Photosynthesis is the beginning of all food chains/webs. All life is supported by this process. It creates oxygen. Why is photosynthesis important?

Photosynthesis-starts to ecological food webs!

Plant cells Inside plant cells are chloroplasts. Chloroplasts absorb light and then use that energy to break down carbon dioxide and water to create sugar.

Leaves are green because they contain the pigment Plants Leaves are green because they contain the pigment chlorophyll Leaves have a large surface area to absorb as much light as possible. "Thanks for the glucose!"

Chloroplasts make oxygen by splitting water molecules.

Stomata This opening how plants exchange gases. Can you name the two important gases that go in and out of the leaves? Why are the stomata located on the underside of leaves?

PHOTOSYNTHESIS Plants absorb different wavelengths of light as activation energy to convert chemicals into sugar. Pigment: The different colors within the plant to absorb different wavelegths of white light ROY G BIV Main pigment: Chlorophyll a Accessory pigments: Chlorophyll b and Carotenoids These pigments absorb all wavelengths EXCERT green.

EQUATION FOR PHOTOSYNTHESIS WATER OXYGEN 6CO2 + 6H2O + ENERGY C6H12O6 + 6O2 CARBON DIOXIDE GLUCOSE

PHOTOSYNTHESIS What affects photosynthesis? Light intensity: As light increases, rate of photosynthesis increases until it plateaus and then it will begin to decline.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS What affects photosynthesis? Carbon Dioxide: As CO2 increases, rate of photosynthesis increases until it plateaus.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS What affects photosynthesis? Temperature: Temperature Low = Rate of photosynthesis low Temperature Increases = Rate of photosynthesis increases If temperature too hot, rate drops

PHOTOSYNTHESIS What affects photosynthesis? Amount of water: Different plants need different amounts of water. If they are given to much or to little water they will decrease in growth or die!

Do plants need oxygen? Yes. Plants consume their own sugar and burn up material like animal and they respire. However, the leaves and stem get their oxygen from the photosynthesis process. What about the roots? Roots get their oxygen from spaces in the soil.