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Table of Contents
Photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria to turn energy from sunlight into chemical energy. Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis are the two types of photosynthetic processes.
See the fact file below for more information on the photosynthesis or alternatively, you can download our 26-page Photosynthesis worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
SCIENCE BEHIND PHOTOSYNTHESIS
- Photosynthesis as a process is commonly written as:
- The formula indicates that the reactants, six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules, are converted by light energy captured by chlorophyll into a sugar molecule and six oxygen molecules.
- In common terms, photosynthesis in plants uses light energy to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and other energy-rich organic compounds.
- Chlorophyll absorbs green wavelengths from the sun, which makes plants look green.
- Oxygen and water vapor exit through the stomata.
- Carbon dioxide enters through openings on the leaf called the stomata.
- Water, CO2, and sunlight combine in the leaf to make sugar.
- Through the roots, water is absorbed and carried through the stem via xylem vessels and distributed to the rest of the plant.
- Excess sugar produced is stored as starch in the roots while others are transported around the plant in the phloem vessels.
- As autotrophs, plants can use light energy to synthesize their own food source. Glucose, a simple form of sugar, serves as food for plants to survive. Aside from plants, algae and some microorganisms also perform photosynthesis.
- Unlike animals that take in gases in the atmosphere through respiration, plants take in carbon dioxide gas for photosynthesis.
- The light energy from the sun breaks down the molecules of carbon dioxide and water to make sugar and oxygen gas.
- After making sugar, it is then broken down into energy by the mitochondria for growth and repair.
- The oxygen is then released through the stomata, the same tiny holes where carbon dioxide enters.
- Oxygenic and anoxygenic are the two types of photosynthetic processes. They are very similar; however, the oxygenic type is the most common in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
- Oxygenic photosynthesis is written as:
- Anoxygenic photosynthesis is written as:
- Plants possess three pigments, which are essential in giving plants color and trapping wavelengths of light.
- Chlorophyll is a green-colored pigment which traps blue and red light.
- Carotenoids are the red, orange or yellow-colored pigments which absorb bluish-green light.
- Phycobilins are red and blue pigments which absorb excess wavelengths that are not absorbed well by chlorophyll and carotenoid. They are common in cyanobacteria and red algae.
- In 1771, English clergyman and scientist Joseph Priestley began the study of photosynthesis. He burned a candle in a closed container and then placed a sprig of a mint plant in it. After a few days, he observed that the mint produced a gas, later named oxygen.
- Priestley’s work was later expanded by Dutch physician Jan Ingenhousz by exposing the plant to light.
- A vital structural unit of photosynthesis is the thylakoid. Thylakoids are stacked like pancakes into groups collectively known as grana. The areas between the grana are known as stroma. A chloroplast has three membrane systems forming compartments.
- A vital structural unit of photosynthesis is the thylakoid. Thylakoids are stacked like pancakes into groups collectively known as grana. The areas between the grana are known as stroma. A chloroplasts has three membrane systems forming compartments.
- The Calvin cycle is a process in photosynthesis, wherein plants and algae use it to turn carbon dioxide from the air into sugar.
- The cycle has four main steps: carbon fixation, reduction phase, carbohydrate formation, and regeneration phase.
- The process was first identified in 1957 by American biochemist Dr Melvin Calvin.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Photosynthesis is the process for green plants to produce food for themselves and oxygen for all other living organisms, including animals and humans. Without this process, the carbon cycle could not occur, and oxygen could not be produced for life to survive.
- There are also non-photosynthetic plants that do not use the energy to produce their own food. Most are considered parasitic and rely on a host to survive.
- An example is the Indian pipe plant (Monotropa uniflora), also known as the ghost or corpse plant, which belongs to the fungi kingdom along with mushrooms and molds. The white color indicates that it contains no chlorophyll.
- During the daytime, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. The greener the plant, the more oxygen is released than used.
- Plants are known as producers, while animals and humans are consumers.
Photosynthesis Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about the photosynthesis across 26 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Photosynthesis worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about the photosynthesis which is a process used by plants, algae and certain bacteria to turn energy from sunlight into chemical energy. Oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis are the two types of photosynthetic processes.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- Photosynthesis Facts
- For All Seasons
- Photosynthesis in Diagram
- Process Synthesis
- Non-Photosynthetic Catalog
- All Shapes and Sizes
- Plant Essentials
- Photosynthetic Truth
- The Great Heights
- Photosynthetic Catalog
- Above Heights and Under Water
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Link will appear as Photosynthesis Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, September 26, 2019
Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.