Biology Reading Notes Outline
Chapter 8: Photosynthesis
Name:______________________________
Period: _________ Date: ____________
Read Chapter 8. As you do so, take notes on the following topics on a separate piece of notebook paper. You will
have to study these for tests, so do not just “answer” the topic questions below- write out the info in an outline
format that contains the detail needed to understand what the topic is and what it means. Leave space between each
topic so you can add to the notes during in-class lectures.
Ch. 8.1: Energy and Life
1. Why is energy so important to life?
2. What is the basic energy source used by cells to store and release energy?
3. Describe the molecular structure of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
4. How is energy stored in adenosine diphosphate (ADP)?
5. How is energy released from ATP?
6. Active transport is powered by what energy molecule?
7. What are heterotrophs?
8. What are autotrophs?
a. Why are autotrophs so important?
9. What process do autotrophs undergo to produce high-energy carbohydrates?
a. Where do autotrophs get the initial energy to produce these carbohydrates?
Ch. 8.2: Photosynthesis Overview
1. How do photosynthetic organisms capture energy from sunlight?
2. What are the two types of chlorophyll found in plants?
a. What colors in the light spectrum are absorbed by these two types of chlorophyll?
b. Why do plants look green?
c. Why do plants change color in the fall season?
3. What are thylakoids? (Review and be familiar with pg. 231 Fig. 8-5)
a. Where are thylakoids found?
b. What are grana?
c. Where is chlorophyll located in the thylakoid?
4. What is the stroma?
5. What happens (with respect to energy) when chlorophyll absorbs light?
6. What do plant cells use to transport high-energy electrons for photosynthesis?
7. What is an electron carrier molecule? Which electron carrier molecule is used in photosynthesis?
8. Summarize the process of photosynthesis.
9. Write out the chemical equation for photosynthesis:
a. using symbols AND using words
10. Name and describe the first set of reactions in photosynthesis:
a. Where do these reactions take place?
b. Why is water required?
c. What are the products of these reactions? Which one is considered a byproduct?
11. Name and describe the second set of reactions in photosynthesis:
a. Where do these reactions take place?
12. At what point does carbon dioxide enter the process of photosynthesis?
Ch. 8.3: The Process of Photosynthesis
1. What are photosystems and what is their role in photosynthesis?
2. When do light-dependent reactions begin?
3. How are high-energy electrons transported?
4. What happens in photosystem 1?
5. Why is the buildup of hydrogen ions in the thylakoid space so important?
6. How does ATP synthase contribute to the production of ATP from ADP?
7. When do light-independent reactions begin?
8. What is another name for the light-independent reaction?
9. What is the objective of the light-independent reaction?
10. What is produced from 6 carbon dioxide molecules that enter the Calvin Cycle?
11. What 3 factors affect photosynthesis?
a. Describe how each factor can affect photosynthetic reactions.
12. What adaptations do plants have to reduce water loss?
13. Describe what C4 and CAM plants are and can do to allow photosynthesis in under extreme conditions.
14. List examples of C4 and CAM plants.