Chapter 10 - Photosynthesis Flashcards
what is photosynthesis?
when light energy is converted to chemical energy that is stored in sugar and other organic molecules
what does the sugar formed during photosynthesis do?
Sugar made provides chemical energy and carbon skeletons to make other organic molecules
where do plants store excess sugar formed by photosynthesis?
Plants store this excess sugar as starch in structures such as roots, tubers, seeds, fruits
what are autotrophs?
self feeders that sustain themselves without eating anything derived from other living beings
Source of organic compounds for non-autotrophic organisms = producers
what do autotrophs produce their organic molecules from?
Produce their organic molecules from CO2 and other inorganic raw materials from the environment
what are photoautotrophs?
Plants are photoautotrophs: organisms that use light as a source of energy to synthesize organic substances
where does photosynthesis occur?
Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, unicellular eukaryotes, and some prokaryotes (bacteria)
what are heterotrophs?
obtain organic material by feeding off of compounds produced by other organisms since they’re unable to make their own food = consumers
- Rely on photoautotrophs for organic molecules (food) and for O2
- Decomposers: consume the remains of dead organisms by decomposing and feeding on organic litter like carcasses, feces, leaves (fungi, prokaryotes)