Biology 8: Plant Needs and Photosynthesis

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Questions and Answers

Along with sun, what three things do plants need to flourish?

water, small amounts of minerals, and carbon dioxide

What two things do plants provide?

food and oxygen

How do plants release oxygen?

Plants break water molecules apart and use electrons and protons from water but they leave behind oxygen molecules.

What is photosynthesis?

the process by which certain groups of organisms capture energy from sunlight and convert this solar energy into chemical energy that is initially stored in a carbohydrate. Signup and view all the answers

What is the formula of photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2 Signup and view all the answers

What part of the visible light spectrum is photosynthesis driven by?

blue and red light of certain wavelengths Signup and view all the answers

Where does photosynthesis take place in the cell?

chloroplasts Signup and view all the answers

What opens to let carbon dioxide pass into the leaves and water vapor pass out of them?

stomata Signup and view all the answers

What are inside the outer and inner membranes of chloroplasts?

a network of thylakoids immersed in stroma Signup and view all the answers

What is stroma?

Stroma is the liquid found inside the chloroplast. Signup and view all the answers

What is any compound that strongly absorbs certain visible wavelengths of sunlight called?

pigment Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary pigment active in plant photosynthesis?

chlorophyll a Signup and view all the answers

What does chlorophyll a do?

It absorbs energy from the sun then passes it along. Signup and view all the answers

What is the photo of photosynthesis?

The first stage where the sunlight strips water of electrons and then boosts these electrons to a higher energy level. Signup and view all the answers

What is the synthesis of photosynthesis?

The second stage where electrons come together with carbon dioxide and a sugar. Signup and view all the answers

What is a photosystem?

An organized complex of molecules within a thylakoid membrane that collects solar energy and transforms it into chemical energy. Signup and view all the answers

What is the reaction center?

The center of the antennae system which is a pair of special chlorophyll a molecules and associated compounds. Signup and view all the answers

How are electrons lost/gained?

Sunlight--pigments--uphill to primary electron acceptor--downhill through electron transport chain--repeated until NADP. Signup and view all the answers

How does the light reaction continue the transfer of energy?

It is a series of redox reactions: electrons pass on by one electron carrier oxidizing another. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Requirements

Plants require water, small amounts of minerals, and carbon dioxide alongside sunlight to thrive.

Plant Contributions

Plants provide essential food and oxygen to ecosystems.

Oxygen Release Mechanism

During photosynthesis, plants split water molecules, using their components while releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis Definition

Photosynthesis is the process where certain organisms capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy stored in carbohydrates.

Photosynthesis Formula

The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Light Spectrum in Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis primarily utilizes blue and red light wavelengths from the visible spectrum.

Location of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis occurs within chloroplasts in plant cells.

Role of Stomata

Stomata are tiny openings on leaves that allow carbon dioxide to enter and water vapor to exit the plant.

Chloroplast Structure

Chloroplasts contain a network of thylakoids surrounded by a fluid called stroma.

Stroma Function

Stroma is the liquid in chloroplasts that hosts the Calvin cycle, where carbon dioxide and high-energy sugars are produced.

Pigments

Compounds that absorb specific visible wavelengths of sunlight are referred to as pigments.

Primary Photosynthesis Pigment

Chlorophyll a is the main pigment involved in plant photosynthesis.

Function of Chlorophyll a

Chlorophyll a absorbs sunlight energy and transfers it to other molecules.

Light Reactions Overview

In the light reactions, sunlight energizes electrons by stripping them from water, leading to their attachment to the mobile electron carrier NADP.

Calvin Cycle Overview

The Calvin cycle is the stage where high-energy sugar is produced by combining electrons with carbon dioxide, occurring in the stroma.

Photosystems

Photosystems are complexes of molecules within thylakoid membranes that capture solar energy and convert it into chemical energy.

Reaction Center

The reaction center, consisting of specialized chlorophyll a molecules, converts absorbed solar energy into chemical energy.

Electron Transfer Process

The process of electron transfer involves moving electrons uphill to the primary electron acceptor, then downhill through the electron transport chain, eventually reaching NADP.

Energy Transfer in Light Reactions

Light reactions involve a series of redox reactions, where electrons are passed among carriers, oxidizing one while reducing another.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the essential factors that plants need to thrive, such as water, minerals, and carbon dioxide. Explore the role of photosynthesis in providing food and oxygen, as well as how plants release oxygen into the atmosphere. This quiz will help reinforce your understanding of these fundamental biological concepts.