Photosynthesis Flashcards
Photosynthesis
The process by which most producers use sunlight to synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water
What organisms do photosynthesis
Plants, some protists (algae), some bacteria (Cyanobacteria)
What are the parts of the chloroplast
Thylakoids, stroma, grana
What is chlorophyll and why is it important
A pigment that absorbs light energy - it is responsible for capturing light and converting it to sugar and oxygen
How do gases enter and exit the leaves of plants
Through the stroma. Carbon dioxide enters the plants oxygen and leaves the plants
Products of photosyntheis
Glucose and oxygen
Reactants of photosynthesis
Carbon dioxide and water and energy
What are the 2 main stages of photosynthesis and where do they take place
Light-dependent reaction (thylakoid) & light-independent reaction aka Calvin cycle (stroma)
What happens in the light reactions
Light energy and water are converted into oxygen. Chlorophyll absorbs energy from the sun and transfers it to ATP and NADH. Water splits and releases oxygen as waste
What is produced in the light reactions that goes to the Calvin cycle
ATP and NADPH
What happens in the Calvin cycle
Carbon dioxide is converted into glucose.
Why is photosynthesis important
It provides oxygen to ecosystems and makes glucose
What are the 3 factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis
Light intensity- if there is more light, then the electrons are more easily excited which makes the light reaction happen faster
Amount of carbon dioxide- more co2 means more co2 that can be cycled
Temperature- high temp increases the rate of reaction
