ATP, Chloroplasts, and Leaves

Chemical Energy and ATP Where in chemical compounds (FOOD) is the energy located? Energy in a molecule is in the chemical bonds formed between the atoms of that molecule. When a high-energy bond is broken and lower energy bonds are made, energy is released.

Chemical Energy and ATP Adenosine Triphosphate an important chemical in life's never ending need for energy acts as a carrier of energy

Chemical Energy and ATP extremely useful as the basic energy source of all cells the third phosphate on an ATP molecule can readily be broken (releasing energy) and reformed (requires energy) cells possess only small amounts of ATP

Pigment material that changes the color of reflected light plants gather the sun’s energy with light absorbing pigments

Pigment the primary plant pigment is chlorophyll

Chlorophyll absorbs light energy very well in the blue, violet and red wavelengths of the spectrum So why are plants green? chlorophyll reflects green light

Carotenoids secondary pigment that produces fall leaf colors also produces color of many fruits and vegetables absorb different wavelengths of light

How do pigments absorb light energy?

by kicking an electron into a higher energy level

as these electrons are returned to their normal state the energy released is used to make ATP and a compound called NADPH more on this when we discuss Photosynthesis

Chloroplast oval shaped organelle composed of an inner and an outer membrane

Chloroplast the inner membranes, thylakoids, are arranged in stack like layers called grana the fluid in the chloroplast is called stroma stroma thylakoid granum

thylakoids

Leaves organs where photosynthesis takes place provide a place for gas exchange

Stomata pores on the surface of a leaf allow gases to enter and leave the plant surrounded by two guard cells

Guard Cells specialized cells that can open and close to control gas exchange typically closed in time of drought prevents water from leaving the plant