How to Phosynthesis
Organisms need
energy to survive. Some organisms are capable of absorbing energy from sunlight
and using it to produce sugar and other organic compounds such as lipids and proteins. The sugars are then used to provide
energy for the organism. This process, called photosynthesis, is used by plants and some protists,bacteria, and blue-green algae.
Photosynthesis Equation
In photosynthesis, solar energy is converted to chemical energy. The chemical energy is stored in the form of glucose (sugar). Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are used to produce glucose, oxygen, and water. The chemical equation for this process is:
6CO2 + 12H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
6 molecules of carbon dioxide (6CO2) and 12 molecules of water (12H2O) are consumed in the process, while glucose (C6H12O6), six molecules of oxygen (6O2), and six molecules of water (6H2O) are produced.
This equation may be simplified as: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Photosynthesis Equation
In photosynthesis, solar energy is converted to chemical energy. The chemical energy is stored in the form of glucose (sugar). Carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight are used to produce glucose, oxygen, and water. The chemical equation for this process is:
6CO2 + 12H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
6 molecules of carbon dioxide (6CO2) and 12 molecules of water (12H2O) are consumed in the process, while glucose (C6H12O6), six molecules of oxygen (6O2), and six molecules of water (6H2O) are produced.
This equation may be simplified as: 6CO2 + 6H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Photosynthesis in Plants
In plants,
photosynthesis occurs mainly within the leaves. Since photosynthesis requires
carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, all of these substances must be obtained
by or transported to the leaves. Carbon dioxide is obtained through tiny pores
in plant leaves called stomata. Oxygen is also released through the stomata.
Water is obtained by the plant through the roots and delivered to the leaves
through vascular plant tissue systems. Sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, a
green pigment located in plant cell structures called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are the sites of
photosynthesis. Chloroplasts contain several structures, each having specific
functions:
Outer and inner membranes: protective
coverings that keep chloroplast structures enclosed.
Stroma: dense fluid within the chloroplast. Site of conversion of carbon dioxide to sugar.
Thylakoid: flattened sac-like membrane structures. Site of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.
Grana: dense layered stacks of thylakoid sacs. Sites of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.
Chlorophyll: a green pigment within the chloroplast. Absorbs light energy.
Stroma: dense fluid within the chloroplast. Site of conversion of carbon dioxide to sugar.
Thylakoid: flattened sac-like membrane structures. Site of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.
Grana: dense layered stacks of thylakoid sacs. Sites of conversion of light energy to chemical energy.
Chlorophyll: a green pigment within the chloroplast. Absorbs light energy.
Stages of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis
occurs in two stages. These stages are called the light reactions and the dark
reactions. The light reactions take place in the presence of light. The dark
reactions do not require direct light, however dark reactions in most plants
occur during the day.
Light reactions occur mostly in the thylakoid stacks of the grana. Here, sunlight is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP (free energy containing molecule) and NADPH (high energy electron carrying molecule). Chlorophyll absorbs light energy and starts a chain of steps that result in the production of ATP, NADPH, and oxygen (through the splitting of water). Oxygen is released through the stomata. Both ATP and NADPH are used in the dark reactions to produce sugar.
Dark reactions occur in the stroma. Carbon dioxide is converted to sugar using ATP and NADPH. This process is known as carbon fixation or the Calvin cycle. Carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon sugar creating a 6-carbon sugar. The 6-carbon sugar is eventually broken-down into two molecules, glucose and fructose. These two molecules make sucrose or sugar.
Light reactions occur mostly in the thylakoid stacks of the grana. Here, sunlight is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP (free energy containing molecule) and NADPH (high energy electron carrying molecule). Chlorophyll absorbs light energy and starts a chain of steps that result in the production of ATP, NADPH, and oxygen (through the splitting of water). Oxygen is released through the stomata. Both ATP and NADPH are used in the dark reactions to produce sugar.
Dark reactions occur in the stroma. Carbon dioxide is converted to sugar using ATP and NADPH. This process is known as carbon fixation or the Calvin cycle. Carbon dioxide is combined with a 5-carbon sugar creating a 6-carbon sugar. The 6-carbon sugar is eventually broken-down into two molecules, glucose and fructose. These two molecules make sucrose or sugar.
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