Photosynthesis
 The equation:
reactants
products
6CO2 + 6H2O
C6H12O6 + 6O2
energy in sunlight
In words….
Carbon dioxide + water  glucose + oxygen
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

1. Plant cells may have
organelles called chloroplasts.

2. Photosynthesis occurs in a
plant cell’s chloroplasts.
 3. It Occurs in 3 stages
a. Energy is captured from
sunlight
b. The sun’s energy is used to
make ATP
c. Glucose is made
The majority of photosynthesis
occurs in the leaves!
Stage 1: Capturing the
Sun’s Energy
 4. Occurs in the Chloroplast in small disks
called thylakoids which contain the pigment
chlorophyll
Stage 1: Capturing the
Sun’s Energy
 5. Chlorophyll traps energy from the
sunlight
Stage 2: Using the Sun’s
Energy to Form ATP
 6. After chlorophyll captures energy from
the sun, the energy moves to the
membrane of the thylakoid.

7. In the thylakoid membrane, the energy
is used to make ATP molecules.
Using the Sun’s Energy to
Form ATP
8. ATP
molecules are the only true energy source
for living things.
Sun’s
energy
ADP
P
(phosphate)
ATP
Stage 3: Making
Carbohydrates (The Calvin
Cycle)
9. ATP provides the activation energy to start
the Calvin cycle (making carbohydrates)
10. Energy from ATP splits water molecules
11. Hydrogen binds with Carbon atoms from
CO2 in the air to make simple sugars
 (glucose = C-H-O)
12.Oxygen is released into the atmosphere
13. The Calvin Cycle assembles glucose
monomers into polymers for energy use
and growth.
14. Plants can store the sun’s energy in this
carbohydrate form.
15. When a plant needs energy (food) to
carry out life activities, chemical reactions
break down the carbohydrates for energy.
* PLANTS UNDERGO BOTH
PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CELLULAR
RESPIRATION!
16. As long as ATP is available,
this step of photosynthesis can
occur in sunlight or in the dark.
Photosynthesis
Purpose
Converts sunlight into glucose
(carbohydrate) for food
Where Reaction
occurs
Chloroplasts (thylakoids)
Present in…
Plants (some bacteria & protists)
Raw Materials
Carbon dioxide & water
Products
Oxygen, glucose
Formula
6CO2 + 6H2O
energy in
sunlight
C6H12O6 +6O2
Weird Plants!!!
 Carnivorous plants such as the Venus fly trap
and the pitcher plant still undergo
photosynthesis!
 They must get nitrogen from eating insects.
Venus Fly Trap
Venus Fly Trap
Pitcher plant