Photosynthesis

Life Science - Middle School

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Photosynthesis © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4727 Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. Photosynthesis Photosynthesis primarily occurs in plant leaves. The entire process takes place in the chloroplast. Inside each chloroplast there are green pigment molecules called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the Sun. This pigment gives plants their green color. Plants also need water and carbon dioxide to carry out the process of photosynthesis. Oxygen and food in the form of sugar are produced. Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis Photosynthesis can be summarized in this simple chemical equation: carbon dioxide and water are converted to glucose and oxygen, with the use of the Sun’s light energy. The glucose (sugar) that is produced is used as plant food, converted to more complex compounds like cellulose, or stored for future use. chloroplast granum stroma 6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2 oxygen glucose water light energy chlorophyll carbon dioxide water carbon dioxide stomata energy oxygen light energy glucose chloroplast 1 2 Chloroplasts capture light energy. Water enters the leaf. water Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through tiny pores in the leaf called stomata. Using the captured light energy, glucose and oxygen are produced inside the chloroplasts through a complex series of chemical reactions. 3 4
Photosynthesis © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. 94-4727 Visit www.newpathlearning.com for Online Learning Resources. Pause and Review What are some similarities and differences between photosynthesis and cellular respiration? Fill in the Venn diagram below with your answers. Photosynthesis Respiration