1. PHOTOSYNTHESIS

2. Autotrophic Process: Plants and other photosynthetic organisms create their own energy (glucose) from sunlight. Energy is stored as carbohydrates.

3. Why is Photosynthesis important? 1. Makes organic molecules out of inorganic materials. 2. It begins all food chains & webs; thus all life is supported by this process. 3. It also makes oxygen gas as a waste product!!

4. Plants use sunlight to turn water and carbon dioxide into glucose. Glucose is a monosaccharide. Plants use glucose as a source of energy and as a building block for growth. Autotrophs make glucose and heterotrophs are consumers of it. Photo-synthesis means "putting together with light."

5. Photosynthesis Carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen sunlight absorbed by chlorophyll 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O  C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2

6. Plant Cells

7. Chloroplasts make the sugars!

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

9. Stoma: This opening allows plants exchange gases. It is regulated by Guard Cells. Why do you think the stomata are located on the underside of leaves?

10. PHOTOSYNTHESIS Absorbing light energy to make chemical energy: glucose! Pigments: Absorb different colors of white light Main pigments: Chlorophyll Accessory pigments: Carotenoids These pigments absorb all wavelengths of light EXCEPT for green!

11. Chlorophylls vs. Carotenoids

12. Chlorophylls Most abundant photosynthetic pigment. Functions within the reaction center (Thylakoid). Able to maintain high energy levels consistently for glucose production. Produces a green color due to reflection of green wavelengths within the spectrum. Chemical structure allows for the potential to easily gain or lose electrons; which allow it to transfer excited electrons to the Thylakoid. Carotenoids Accessory pigments. Functions outside of the thylakoid and must transfer captured energy to Chlorophyll for use. Able to absorb some light in the “Green Gap”. Protects Chlorophyll and its surrounding cells from light damage, from the production of excessive free radicals (O 2 ) under high light conditions. Carotenoids are able to absorb excess light, diverting it away from Chlorophyll.

13. Visible light is only a small part of the electromagnetic spectrum (all forms of light).

14. LIGHT behaves as if it were composed of "packets" of energy that travel in waves. These packets are called photons. The wavelength of light determines its color.

15. In plants, waste products are removed by diffusion. Plants, for example, excrete O 2, a product of photosynthesis.