Photosynthesis - WordPress.com
Photosynthesis
Mike Smith
What would happen if I placed this plant in a dark closet for a couple of weeks, but still gave it regular amounts of water?
Explain your answer.
What is Photosynthesis?
A chemical reaction converting light energy into chemical energy (glucose).
We can’t eat sunlight!
Photosynthesis makes sunlight usable for living things
Why is Photosynthesis Important?
Produces Glucose - basis of most food chains
Produces Oxygen - necessary for aerobic organisms
Where does Photosynthesis Occur?
Planetary Level
Most photosynthesis occurs in oceans
70% of the earth’s surface
Where does Photosynthesis Occur?
In numerous organisms like
The Entire Plant
Half of the
Monera Kingdom
Where does Photosynthesis Occur?
Multi-cellular Level
Cellular Level
In the chloroplasts
In the leaves of plants
What Raw Materials are Needed for the
Process of Photosynthesis?
Chlorophyll
To Which “Life Function” is
Photosynthesis related?
Nutrition! Autotrophic Nutrition.
Think about the previous picture…
the plant makes nutrients on its own using materials in the environment.
How Can We Summarize
Photosynthesis?
In words: carbon dioxide + water + light energy glucose + oxygen + water
How Can We Summarize
Photosynthesis?
As a Chemical Equation:
CO
2
+ H
2
O + light energy
C
6
H
12
O
6
+ O
2
+ H
2
O
What Else Should We Remember
About Photosynthesis?
It’s important for the Oxygen-Carbon
Dioxide Cycle.
While producing oxygen, carbon dioxide is being removed from the air.
How does this relate to Global Warming?
