Photosynthesis!!

Photosynthesis Photosynthesis- the process(chemical reaction) that uses sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose and oxygen. 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (sunlight) C6H12O6 + 6O2

Chloroplasts A chloroplast contains: Where it happens: the chloroplasts A chloroplast contains: Stroma= a fluid Grana= stacks of thylakoids The thylakoids contain chlorophyll Chlorophyll is the green pigment that captures light for photosynthesis Absorbs every color of light except green. WHY??

Chloroplast Stroma Outer Membrane Thylakoid Granum Inner Membrane

Photosynthesis Two parts: light reaction: energy storage compounds made, converts sunlight into chemical energy Calvin cycle: chemical energy from the light rxn is used to power the dark reaction, in which simple sugars are made

Light reaction Light is absorbed by chlorophyll The energy provided allows for water to be split This is where O2 is produced This causes a build up of H+ across the membrane H+ diffuse through an enzyme (ATP synthase) that uses the energy to turn ADP into ATP Extra electrons turn NADP+ into NADPH

Light Reaction Products NADPH ATP

Calvin Cycle CO2 is fixed into a larger carbon based molecule Lots of reactions happen (don’t worry about it) Both ATP and NADPH from the light reaction are needed during this process After the cycle happens 3 times, 6 molecules of PGAL(phosphoglyceraldehyde) are produced 5 PGAL molecules are put back into the cycle 1 molecule of PGAL leaves to be used by the cell 2 molecules of PGAL combine to form GLUCOSE Can be formed into sucrose, starch or amino acids

What’s the point? Plants take in CO2 and release O2. Helps maintain a balance of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the atmosphere Most organisms NEED oxygen to carry out vital life functions ALL organisms get energy from photosynthesis