1. Photosynthesis Notes 1)On your notes, define photosynthesis. You can use your book! 2)Answer: Photosynthesis is the process by which a cell captures energy in sunlight and uses it to make food.

2.  During photosynthesis, plants and some other organisms use energy from the sun to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugar.

3.  Photosynthesis takes place in two stages: 1)Stage 1 – Capturing the Sun’s Energy  Occurs in the leaves  Chlorophyll captures light energy and uses it to power the second stage of photosynthesis

4. 2)Stage 2 – Using Energy to Make Food  The cell uses the energy from Stage 1 to convert water and carbon dioxide into sugar and oxygen.  The water is absorbed by the roots  Carbon dioxide enters through openings on the bottom of the leaf called stomata.

5. Stage 2 continued…  The oxygen produced is given off as waste.  The sugars produced can be used in 3 ways: 1.As energy for the cell to carry-out its functions 2.Used to make cellulose (the material that makes plant cell walls) 3.Stored in the plant and consumed by animals

6. Photosynthesis Equation:  The process of photosynthesis is represented by the following equation: Light Energy Light Energy 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O  C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 carbon water sugar oxygen dioxide (  = “yields”)

7.  We write “light energy” and chlorophyll above the arrow because both are necessary for the chemical reaction to take place.  Carbon dioxide and water are called raw materials because these are what the plant starts with.  Sugar and oxygen are called products because these are what the plant makes.