1. Photosynthesis

2. There are different types of energy
Remember: Energy is the ability to cause a change
The type of energy that comes from the sun is LIGHT ENERGY
Light energy can’t give plants the energy they need to perform processes – like making new cells and reproducing
CHEMICAL ENERGY is energy that comes from breaking apart molecules and is the type of energy all living things use

3. Why photosynthesize?
Plants have no way to get chemical energy (or food) because they do not eat
So they need to MAKE a molecule they can break down to get chemical energy
They make molecules for energy (food) during photosynthesis
Let’s look at how this works:

4. Capturing Light Energy
Plants have chloroplasts
Chloroplasts contain lots of chlorophyll which absorbs the sun’s light energy
Chloroplasts reflect green light, which makes them look green

5. Photosynthesis
LIGHT
OXYGEN
GLUCOSE
CARBON DIOXIDE
WATER

6. Photosynthesis Reaction
LIGHT
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 O C O H O H H O H C O O H O H O C O H O H O O C H O H C O O H O H O C O

7. Photosynthesis Reaction
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2
The molecules before the arrow are called the REACTANTS because they are reacting to form something new.
The molecules after the arrow are called the PRODUCTS because they are what has newly formed.

8. What are the REACTANTS in photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Oxygen and glucose
Water and glucose
Carbon dioxide and water

9. What are the PRODUCTS in photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Oxygen and glucose
Water and glucose
Carbon dioxide and water

10. Plants make sugar to get ENERGY
All living things need energy to carry out life processes
That energy comes from GLUCOSE and is broken down for energy in the mitochondria

11. Getting energy
The process of breaking down glucose (sugar) to get energy is called CELLULAR RESPIRATION
It is the exact opposite reaction of photosynthesis
CHEMICAL ENERGY
OXYGEN
CARBON DIOXIDE
WATER
GLUCOSE

12. What are the REACTANTS in cellular respiration?
Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Oxygen and glucose
Water and glucose
Carbon dioxide and water

13. What are the PRODUCTS in cellular respiration?
Carbon dioxide and oxygen
Oxygen and glucose
Water and glucose
Carbon dioxide and water

14. How does water and Carbon dioxide get into the plant?
Water is absorbed by the ROOTS
Carbon dioxide enters through tiny holes on the underside of the leaf called STOMATA

15. STOMATA Oxygen will leave through the stomata
Sometimes water can also leave through the stomata
When more water leaves the stomata than is absorbed by the roots, the plant wilts
The process of water leaving the stomata is called transpiration

16. Why are plants important?
Plants can make their own food! (Change light energy into chemical energy) – no animal can do that
This makes plants the beginning of every food chain

17. Why else are plants important?
One of the products of photosynthesis is OXYGEN – which every living thing needs for cellular respiration
In other words, the oxygen given off by plants allows all other living things to get energy
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide

18. Assignment:
Create a song/rap/poem/story with a friend that contains the following information.
1.) Process of Photosynthesis
2.) Reactants of Photosynthesis
3.) Products of Photosynthesis
**You must each have the song/rap/poem or story written down in your composition book to receive credit.