Biology Concepts - Photosynthesis

Biology Concepts - Photosynthesis

Multiple Choice

Photosynthesis is a process that uses sunlight energy to create glucose (sugar). Some organisms can use this process to create their own food. What organisms can do this?

• Animals

• Plants

• Both

Plants and Photosynthesis

• Plants can photosynthesize, animals cannot

• Photo = Light

• Synthesis = to make

• Plants are called producers / autotrophs because they can make their own energy (sugar) using sunlight!

What is special about plants that allows them to photosynthesize?

They have a special organelle that acts like a solar panel by absorbing sunlight

Multiple Choice

Think back to you learned in Unit 3 about plant cell organelles. Do you remember which organelle does photosynthesis? Refer to the image, it might help you remember.

• Mitochondria

• Chloroplast

• Endoplasmic reticulum

• Ribosomes

The Chloroplast

This is a specialized organelle found in plants that absorbs sunlight energy and converts it through a chemical reaction into sugar!

Photosynthesis is a Chemical Reaction

A reactant is something that is required for a chemical reaction to take place. Molecules that react together.

These are like the ingredients in a recipe.

Multiple Select

Observe the image and pay attention to the arrows. What three reactants are needed by the plant for photosynthesis to occur?

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

• Sugars

• Sunlight

• Water

Reactants of Photosynthesis

If you look carefully at the image, you can see three arrows pointing into the plant. These are the three reactants that plants need for photosynthesis to happen:

-- Carbon dioxide

-- Sunlight

-- Water

Photosynthesis is a Chemical Reaction

When a chemical reaction occurs, what is made at the end of the process is called the product.

This is like the finished recipe, ready to eat!

Multiple Select

Observe the image and pay attention to the arrows. What two products are made by the process of photosynthesis?

• Carbon dioxide

• Oxygen

• Sugars

• Sunlight

• Water

Products of Photosynthesis

If you look carefully at the image, you can see two arrows pointing out of the plant. These are the products made by the photosynthesis process.

-- Oxygen

-- Sugars

Chemical equations are used to show which molecules are reactants and the products that they create. An arrow represents the chemical reaction change.

Reactant + Reactant ---> Product + Product

Multiple Choice

Which option shows the correct equation for photosynthesis?

It might help to think about (1) what do plants need in order to grow, and (2) what do plants make that you eat and inhale when you breathe?

• Oxygen + Sugar --> Water + Carbon dioxide + Light

• Light + Water + Oxygen --> Carbon dioxide + Sugar

• Water + Carbon dioxide + Light --> Sugar + Oxygen

Not All Light is Equal

• Light is made of waves

• Sunlight emits visible light that is seen as ROYGBIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet)

• Chlorophyll absorbs some colors of light to use for photosynthesis, but reflects other colors of light

Multiple Select

You want to grow plants indoors. What color of lightbulbs would make your plants grow the most? Read the graph carefully and select THREE answers.

• Violet / Indigo

• Blue

• Green

• Yellow

• Red

% Absorption

The colors that are absorbed the most fuel the process of photosynthesis. This is Violet, Indigo, Blue, and Red.

In comparison, green and yellow wavelengths are reflected (bounce) off the plant and are not used for photosynthesis as much. This is also what makes plants appear green to your eyes!

Check out this incredible indoor farm that uses a combination of white and violet lights!

Why is photosynthesis important?

• Through photosynthesis, trees absorb and store carbon, which helps reduce atmospheric carbon

• This helps reduce the impact of climate change

• Trees produce oxygen and make clean air for us to breathe

Why is photosynthesis important?

Plants are the base of every food chain because through photosynthesis, they produce sugar! Without plants, we would not have food to eat.

Open Ended

Describe one way that plants are important to you! or Share your favorite memory of plants, trees, or natural spaces.