Photosynthesis The conversion of light energy from the sun into food and oxygen.

Chlorophyll Found in the chloroplasts. It sits in small discs called thylakoids. These discs are stacked on top of each other in piles called grana. The grana are joined together by lamella. The clear fluid they are embedded in is called the stroma.

Read Page 133 of Patterns Of Life.

The Photosynthesis Equation

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The Process Two steps: – 1 The light phase and – 2 The light-independent phase (Calvin Cycle). – The light phase splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen fills the hydrogen carrier NADP  NADPH 2 and O 2 is released as a waste product.

The Calvin Cycle occurs in the stroma. – CO 2 is captured from the air and fixed into a molecule (this is called carbon dioxide fixation). – An enzyme (rubisco) aids the fixation. – This is then turned into glucose and other organic compounds. – Copy the diagram from the bottom of page 136 of Patterns of Life.

Activity. Read about the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration on page 137 and then do the Problems on page 138.