Photosynthesis Tutorial
Directions: Access the following website and use it to complete this packet. Answers to the
questions should be written in your notebook legibly because they will serve as your notes for
the photosynthesis unit. This will be an independent unit. We will spend a short portion of
every day going over the information, but the bulk of each class will be dedicated to the
immunology unit. Follow along with the assignments in the photosynthesis study guide and DO
NOT PROCRASTINATE. You will be tested on this information.
http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_krogh_biology_3/0,8750,1135943-,00.html
8-1 Properties of Light
Part I Animation: The Electromagnetic Spectrum
1. Draw a diagram of the Electromagnetic Spectrum and describe its’ different
parts.
2. Describe what happens when sunlight strikes a leaf. What happens to each of
the different colors of light? Which color is NOT used during photosynthesis
and how would you know this by looking at a leaf?
Part II: Exercise I
Move the slider from left to right (Blue to red in the visible light spectrum)
o What happens to the size of the wavelengths?
o Which colors are absorbed by the leaf?
o Which colors are reflected by the leaf?
Part III: Exercise II
Move the vertical slider down to “Minimum amount of chlorophyll”.
o What happened to the color of the leaf?
o Why do you believe that the color changed (talk about reflection and
absorption)
Keep the vertical slider at the bottom and move the horizontal slider from left to
right
o Which colors of light are absorbed by the leaf?
o Which colors of light are reflected by the leaf?
o How is this different from when chlorophyll is present (exercise I)?
o If chlorophyll is gone, why do you think absorption is still occurring
across parts of the visible spectrum? (Look up the role of carotenoids
on a different website)
Conclusion
1. What is the actual process of photosynthesis? (What happens)
2. Which colors of light drive the process of photosynthesis?
8-1 Properties of light Assessment
Self-Quiz
o Complete the on-line self-quiz. Print a copy of the self-quiz results for your
studying purposes. Email me the results of your self-quiz using the following
email address.
Hachtman’s email: hachtmr@bangorsd.org
Essay Questions
o Answer the following essay question. You do not need to write multiple
paragraphs, but instead treat this like a long answer question. Type the question
to the essay in a MS word document and your answer. Make sure to check your
spelling and your grammar prior to submitting your essay. Print a copy of your
essay so that you can study it. Email me your essay. These are samples of the
essay questions that I will use on this test.
Essay Questions:
1. What is the electromagnetic spectrum? Describe the different parts of the
spectrum, but pay special attention to the visible light portion. Also
describe the interplay between energy and wavelength.
2. Describe how a plant utilizes available light from the visible spectrum
during photosynthesis. What is the role of chlorophyll in this process?
What is the role of carotenoids in this process? Why do plants contain
multiple pigments?
8-2 Photosynthesis
Introduction: Use the information in this section to complete the following diagram.
Inputs for photosynthesis should be placed on the left side of the diagram
and the outputs should be labeled on the right side of the diagram. You
will probably not be able to fill in both output blanks at this time, but
come back to this diagram as you complete this unit.
Chloroplast
Part I Animation: Overview of Photosynthesis
1. Draw and label the cross-section of a leaf.
2. What is the purpose of the stomata?
3. How could the presence of the stomata be detrimental to desert plants
(Common Sense question)?
4. Draw and label the diagram of a mesophyll cell.
5. Draw and label the diagram of a chloroplast.
6. Why does the chloroplast have 2 membranes (Think back to last unit)?
7. Draw and label the diagram of a granum.
Part I Animation: Photosystems
1. What are the 2 photosystems of the Light Reaction?
2. Describe the components of a photosystem.
3. Name an example of an antennae pigment.
- What is the job of an antennae pigment in photosynthesis?
4. Describe the path that electrons travel while in photosystem II.
5. To move up the energy hill in photosystem II, electrons must first become
excited. What provides the energy to excite electrons?
6. What is a redox reaction? What must happen to a molecule to become
reduced? What must happen to a molecule to become oxidized?
Part I Animation: Collecting Energy
1. As electrons move to the primary electron acceptor, the reaction center now
contains an “electron hole” (oxidized). Describe how water is involved in
filling this “electron hole”. Describe which molecule is oxidized and which is
reduced during this process.
2. After electrons become excited, the primary electron acceptor is unable to
contain them (think of a class of 3rd graders given sugar). Where do the
electrons travel upon leaving this acceptor?
3. Describe how the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) is involved in creating
ATP.
4. Describe how Photosystem I (PSI) creates NADPH.
Part I Animation: Light Dependent Reactions
1. Describe the role of hydrogen ions (H+) in the creation of ATP. Make sure to
discuss from where these ions originate.
2. What is the role of NADPH in the Light Independent Reaction?
Part I Animation: Light Independent Reaction
1. Describe what happens during the different steps of the light independent
reaction (Calvin cycle).
a. Carbon Fixation:
b. Energizing the Carbohydrate:
(Note G3P and PGAL are the same molecules)
c. Glucose Production and Completing the Cycle (Not labeled but last
2 steps)
2. After ATP delivers its energy, what does it become?
3. After NADPH delivers its electrons, what does it become?
4. Where do the two molecules (answers from questions 2 + 3) go next and why?
Part 2 and 3 Exercises 1 + 2: Complete these exercises using your notes to aid you.
8-2 Photosynthesis Assessment
Self-Quiz
o Complete the on-line self-quiz. Print a copy of the self-quiz results for your
studying purposes. Email me the results of your self-quiz using the following
email address.
Hachtman’s email: hachtmr@bangorsd.org
Essay Questions
o Answer the following essay questions. You do not need to write multiple
paragraphs, but instead treat this like a long answer question. Type the question
to the essay in a MS word document and your answer. Make sure to check your
spelling and your grammar prior to submitting your essay. Print a copy of your
essay so that you can study it. Email me your essay. These are samples of the
essay questions that I will use on this test.
Essay Questions:
1. Describe the pathway of electrons as they travel through photosynthesis.
Begin your discussion with water and complete it with the creation of
glucose.
2. Describe the pathway of H+ ions during photosynthesis. Begin your
discussion with water and complete it with the production of ATP.
3. Describe how glucose is made during the Calvin Cycle (Light Independent
Reaction). Make sure to discuss what happens during each step of this
reaction and any enzymes that are crucial for the reaction to occur.
8-3 The Calvin Experiments
Part I: Animation
o Take notes about this process of discovery in your notebook. Take special care in
understanding the role of Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) in this process.
8-3 The Calvin Experiments Assessment
Self-Quiz
o Complete the on-line self-quiz. Print a copy of the self-quiz results for your
studying purposes. Email me the results of your self-quiz using the following
email address.
Hachtman’s email: hachtmr@bangorsd.org
Essay Question
o Answer the following essay question. You do not need to write multiple
paragraphs, but instead treat this like a long answer question. Type the question
to the essay in a MS word document and your answer. Make sure to check your
spelling and your grammar prior to submitting your essay. Print a copy of your
essay so that you can study it. Email me your essay. These are samples of the
essay questions that I will use on this test.
Essay Question:
o Describe the process that Melvin Calvin used to understand how the Light
Independent Reaction of Photosynthesis occurred.
8-4 Different Kinds of Photosynthesis
Introduction
o What is photorespiration and why is it detrimental (bad) for a plant?
Part I Animation – The C4 Pathway
1. What types of plants utilize the C4 pathway?
2. Draw the 2nd diagram on this page. Label the mesophyll cells, the bundle
sheath cells, and the vein cells. Also label where the C4 pathway occurs and
where the Calvin Cycle occurs.
3. This process is often referred to as a solution for photorespiration “based on
physical separation”. Using the information that you learned during this
section, describe why this is an appropriate way to describe the C4 pathway.
4. An advantage of this process is that it nearly eliminates photorespiration.
Why have all plants not utilized to this strategy? (Think energy costs)
Part I Animation – The CAM Pathway
1. What types of plants practice the CAM pathway?
2. What is the general basis of the CAM pathway?
3. What are the advantages and the disadvantages to utilizing this pathway?
4. This process is often referred to as a solution for photorespiration “based on
time separation”. Using the information that you learned during this section,
describe why this is an appropriate way to describe the CAM pathway.
Part II Exercise
o Complete the exercise and draw the diagram in your notebook.
8-4 Different Kinds of Photosynthesis
Self-Quiz
o Complete the on-line self-quiz. Print a copy of the self-quiz results for your
studying purposes. Email me the results of your self-quiz using the following
email address.
Hachtman’s email: hachtmr@bangorsd.org
Essay Question
o Answer the following essay question. You do not need to write multiple
paragraphs, but instead treat this like a long answer question. Type the question
to the essay in a MS word document and your answer. Make sure to check your
spelling and your grammar prior to submitting your essay. Print a copy of your
essay so that you can study it. Email me your essay. These are samples of the
essay questions that I will use on this test.
Essay Question: Write an essay describing the advantages and the limitations of
using each of the major photosynthetic strategies (C3, C4, and CAM). Make sure
to include a description of the type of environment where each strategy is most
beneficial.