Photosynthesis and Respiration

What is photosynthesis? A chemical reaction that occurs in plants that changes light energy to chemical energy Energy is stored as sugar Occurs in plants and some algae Takes place in chloroplasts in chlorophyll

What happens during photosynthesis? Plants capture light energy and use it to make glucose Sunlight provides the energy to change molecules of carbon dioxide and water into glucose Oxygen is a byproduct and is released during this process

The photosynthesis recipe LIGHT ENERGY Carbon Dioxide + water Glucose + oxygen REACTANTS PRODUCTS

The equation of the chemical reaction photosynthesis LIGHT ENERGY 6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 REACTANTS PRODUCTS

Why is this important to us? We cannot make our own food, and depend on producers such as plants to provide glucose and energy Plants are the first part of food chains, and an integral (important) part of food webs Without producers, consumers would not be able to get energy, and would most likely die

What about the oxygen released? This becomes part of the air that we breathe, and is necessary for all living things

From the producer to the consumer… Once the energy from the sunlight is converted into chemical energy by photosynthesis, an organism has to transfer that energy into a usable form, called ATP Transferring the energy into a usable form is called cellular respiration

Cellular Respiration Takes place in the cells and mitochondria of all living things That means Animals AND Plants Is a step by step process that breaks down glucose molecules to release energy

The recipe for cellular respiration Glucose + oxygen Carbon Dioxide + water + ENERGY REACTANTS PRODUCTS

The chemical equation for cellular respiration is C6H12O6 + 6O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + ENERGY REACTANTS PRODUCTS

Aerobic Respiration Organisms that use Oxygen to free the energy from their food are said to use Aerobic Respiration Aerobic means “using oxygen”

Anaerobic Respiration Organisms that do not use oxygen but have developed another way to release the energy from their food are said to use Anaerobic Respiration. Remember that the prefix A- or An- means NOT so Anaerobic means “not aerobic” or without oxygen.