1. Intro to Photosynthesis
Unit 3

2. The sun is the main source of energy for all life on Earth
Almost all plants (some bacteria and protists) are photosynthetic autotrophs that create their own organic matter through photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a process in which solar energy in the form of light is converted into chemical energy within carbohydrate molecules

3. Equations

4. Why are plants green?? They reflect green and yellow light!!!!
Plant cells contain chloroplasts, the organelle where photosynthesis occurs
Chloroplasts are filled with
Thylakoids: membrane sacs (one coin)
Thylakoids are stacked in a granum (stack of coins) plural = grana
Dozens of grana are suspended in stroma – the fluid filled matrix of the organelle

5. Chlorophyll molecules (green) are embedded in the thylakoid membranes
These pigments are light-absorbing molecules
Light is a form of energy so any compound that absorbs light also absorbs energy from that light
When chlorophyll absorbs light, much o the energy is transferred directly to electrons in the chlorophyll molecule, raising the energy levels of these electrons
Autotrophs produce great amounts of energy