Bellwork: What is photosynthesis and why is it important in nature? Using the sentence frame below, answer the following question: What is photosynthesis and why is it important in nature? “Photosynthesis is _________. Photosynthesis is important in nature because _________.”

Next Generation Science Standards MS-LS1-6. Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for the role of photosynthesis in the cycling of matter and flow of energy into and out of organisms.

Objectives: Content Objectives: Language Objectives: Describe the process of photosynthesis. Complete a lab on law of conservation of mass. Describe two ways in which photosynthesis is important. Define, photosynthesis, chlorophyll, cellular respiration, stoma, and transpiration. Explain what photosynthesis is and why it is important in nature using the following sentence frame: “Photosynthesis is ____________. Photosynthesis is important in nature because _______.”

Photosynthesis To insert this slide into your presentation Save this template as a presentation (.ppt file) on your computer. Open the presentation that will contain the image slide. On the Slides tab, place your insertion point after the slide that will precede the image slide. (Make sure you don't select a slide. Your insertion point should be between the slides.) On the Insert menu, click Slides from Files. In the Slide Finder dialog box, click the Find Presentation tab. Click Browse, locate and select the presentation that contains the image slide, and then click Open. In the Slides from Files dialog box, select the image slide. Select the Keep source formatting check box. If you do not select this check box, the copied slide will inherit the design of the slide that precedes it in the presentation. Click Insert. Click Close.

Vocabulary: Photosynthesis: is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to make food. Chlorophyll: a green pigment that absorbs light energy. Cellular respiration: the process by which plants break down glucose and other food molecules to get energy.

Vocabulary: Stoma: an opening in the leaf’s epidermis. Transpiration: the loss of water from leaves in the form of water vapor.

Photosynthesis:

Chlorophyll:

Cellular Respiration

Stomata

Transpiration

Capturing Light Energy Plant cells have organelles called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts are surrounded by two membranes. Inside the chloroplast, another membrane forms stacks called grana. Grana contains chlorophyll.

Capturing Light Energy Sunlight is made of many different wavelengths of light. Chlorophyll absorbs these wavelengths. The plant reflects more wavelengths of green light than any other color, that is why most plants look green.

Making Sugar The light energy that is captured by the chlorophyll is used to help form glucose molecules. In turn, oxygen gas is given off by plant cells.

Making Sugar

Skittles Lab In this lab we will look at the law of conservation of mass/matter. This goes back to our lesson on chemical reaction. After all, photosynthesis is a type of chemical reaction.

Getting Energy from Sugar Plants use glucose molecules to store energy. To get energy, plant cells break down the glucose and other food molecules in a process called cellular respiration. During the process of cellular respiration, the plant cells use oxygen, then the cells give off carbon dioxide and water. Any left over glucose is converted to another type of sugar called sucrose or stored as starch.

Cellular Respiration

Gas Exchange Carbon Dioxide enters the plant’s leaves through the stomata. Each stoma is surrounded by two guard cells. The guard cells act as double doors, opening and closing the stoma. When stomata are open, carbon dioxide enters the leaf. The oxygen produced during photosynthesis is then released through the stomata.

Gas Exchange Water vapor also exits the stomata (transpiration). The water replenishes itself through the absorption of water in the roots. Sometimes, more water is lost through a plant’s leaves than is absorbed by the plants roots. When this happens, the plant wilts.

Gas Exchange

The Importance of Photosynthesis Plants and other photosynthetic organisms form the base of nearly all food chains. During photosynthesis, plants store light energy as chemical energy. Some animals use the chemical energy when they eat plants. Other animals get energy from plants indirectly. Some animals eat other animals who eat plants.

The Importance of Photosynthesis Most organisms cannot survive without photosynthetic organisms. Photosynthesis provides oxygen that animals and plants need for cellular respiration.

The Importance of Photosynthesis