LS1 5 Photosynthesis:

HS-LS1-5. Use a model to illustrate how photosynthesis transforms light energy into stored chemical energy. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on illustrating inputs and outputs of matter and the transfer and transformation of energy in photosynthesis by plants and other photosynthesizing organisms. Examples of models could include diagrams, chemical equations, and conceptual models.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific biochemical steps.]

Inquiry science
Printable activity: Energy for Life Go To Lesson 4.1, 4.2 CK-12
On-line activity: Photosynthesis Inquiry activity Lumen Learning

LAB activities follow safety guidelines linked above
and in the activity

Lab #1 Plants making food NSF
Lab #2 Leaf disk activity Cornell Institute of Biology Teachers

EXTENSION material for the curious
Activity: How plants grow NSF

Photosynthesis explained--in plant cells

Why photosynthesis?

Plants are autotrophs, which produce their own food. Photosynthesis produces glucose, which is converted into starch and other carbohydrates like cellulose (wood).

Requirements for Photosynthesis--in plant cells

Sunlight

Water

Carbon dioxide

Chlorophyll

ATP

NADPH

Elemental MACRONUTRIENTS: N, P, K, S, Ca, Mg

Elemental MICRONUTRIENTS: Mn, Fe, Cu, Cl

Oxygen is a product

Plants also respire--respiration is not restricted to nighttime--plants can respire and, at the same time, photosynthesize. Plants use respiration to produce energy for life functions.

More about plants:

Where does photosynthesis occur in plants?

In the chloroplast in cells

In the thylakoid cell

Find out how NASA monitors photosynthesis from Space

Space Station Live: Cultivating plant growth in space Link to NASA video

Answers further down page . . .

Chlorophyll is found in the thylakoid discs in the chloroplasts

Link to ESA booklet: Mapping photosynthesis from Space

ADP and ATP cutout activity link

Discovering more about glucose Philatelic origin CC0

Chlorophyll is more than one pigment

Chlorophyll a C55H72O5N4Mg

Chlorophyll b C55H70O6N4Mg

The absorbance of red and blue wavelengths from sunlight by chlorophyll in plants means that the green wavelengths are reflected--that's what we see and why most plants appear green

The light dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes

Electron carrier molecules are arranged in electron transport chains that produce ATP and NADPH from ADP and NADP+ and Pi, which temporarily store chemical energy.

The light reactions capture energy from sunlight, which they change to chemical energy that is stored in molecules of NADPH and ATP.

The light reactions also release oxygen gas as a waste product.

Sunlight is absorbed by the pigments in leaves (or needles in conifers)—chlorophyll or carotenoids

The absorption of photons from sunlight enables the light dependent reactions to take place:

Splitting of water 2H2O --> 4e- + 4H+ + O2

Electron transport chain forming reductant NADPH Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate

2NADP+ + 2H+ + 4e- --> 2NADPH

And energy carrier ATP Adenosine triphosphate

ADP + Phosphate + energy à ATP

The light independent reactions

2ND PHASE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Light independent Reactions

6CO2 + 6H2O -->C6H12O6 +6O2

The light independent reactions take place in the stroma—the spaces between the thylakoid membranes

Calvin Cycle: is a series of reactions that use CO2 to form carbohydrates.

What do you know about the 2 stages of photosynthesis?

Pick a word for each O

What happens in photosynthesis?

There are two stages of photosynthesis:

Light dependent reaction

Light independent reaction

Answers are further down this page . . .

Answers to chloroplast activity

Further food for thought . . .

1. What is the function of leaves on a plant?

2. Describe the structure of chloroplasts and what they do

3. Why is the electron transport chain so important in plants?

4. How do humans utilize starch for energy? (Detail needed in response.)

Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields

Physics Electric and Magnetic Fields

HS PS3-5

HS PS3-5

Biology

LS2-1 Factors Affecting Ecosystems

LS1 5 Photosynthesis:

Light to Chemical Energy

Prior Knowledge/Preview

Aerospace CONNECTIONS:

Applications and examples

Can Photosynthesis Occur on Saturn? NASA

Plants in Space NASA

Photosynthesis seen from space ESA