1. Photosynthesis and glucose
March 15-21, 2017
Biology, Dynamics of Life
Chapter 9, pages

2. Photosynthesis Overview

3. Photosynthesis in Brief
Process that uses the sun’s energy to make glucose
Carried out by green plants(autotrophs/producers) and some blue-green bacteria
Purpose is to trap sun’s energy and store it as glucose (food for the plant and consumers) 
A typical leaf cell has about 40 chloroplasts, and a square millimeter of leaf typically has about 500,000 chloroplasts.
Leaf shape can vary, even within the same plant. Leaves that are more shaded tend to be relatively thin and broad, which provides a large surface area for absorbing light. Leaves that are more exposed to sunlight tend to be thicker and have relatively smaller surface area (which reduces water loss).
Chemical equation for photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy  C6H12O6 + 6O2
(Chemical/Empirical Formula of Molecule)
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight  glucose + oxygen
(Scientific Name)

4. Photosynthesis Location
Occurs in the chloroplast
Stroma: Space inside the chloroplast
Structure of the chloroplast:
Granum stack: Stack of green thylakoids
Thylakoid: Green disk in the chloroplast Thylakoids are green because they contain chlorophyll
Chlorophyll: green pigment in plants that absorbs light energy
Pigment: light-absorbing compound

5. Photosynthesis: Biochemical Process
2 Step Reaction of Photosynthesis
Light reaction (Light-dependent reaction) – SUNLIGHT REQUIRED
First step of photosynthesis that traps sunlight and makes electrons and ATP to run the dark reaction
Dark reaction (Light-independent reaction) - NO LIGHT REQUIRED
Second step of photosynthesis that uses ATP and electrons from the light reaction and carbon dioxide from the air to make glucose

6. Light Reaction (Daytime)

7. Light Reaction Diagram

8. Dark Reaction (All Day) –Calvin Cycle

9. Calvin Cycle Diagram

10. Overall