Photosynthesis Process

Photosynthesis

• Definition: Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds (glucose)
• Overall equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
• Steps:
  1. Light-dependent reactions: Light absorption, electron transport, and ATP synthesis
  2. Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle): CO2 fixation, reduction, and glucose synthesis
• Importance:
  • Provides energy and organic compounds for plant growth and development
  • Supports life on Earth by producing oxygen and organic compounds

Autotrophic Nutrition

• Definition: Mode of nutrition where organisms produce their own food using light energy, water, and carbon dioxide
• Types of autotrophic nutrition:
  • Photoautotrophism: Uses light energy (e.g., plants, algae, cyanobacteria)
  • Chemoautotrophism: Uses chemical energy (e.g., some bacteria)
• Characteristics:
  • Produce own food using energy from light or chemicals
  • Do not require external food sources
  • Can thrive in environments with limited nutrients
• Examples:
  • Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria (photoautotrophs)
  • Nitrifying bacteria, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, and iron-oxidizing bacteria (chemoautotrophs)

Note: These notes focus on the basics of photosynthesis and autotrophic nutrition, providing a concise overview of the key concepts and processes.

Photosynthesis

• Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy
• Produces glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (6 O2) from carbon dioxide (6 CO2) and water (6 H2O)
• Consists of two stages: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle)
• Light-dependent reactions involve light absorption, electron transport, and ATP synthesis
• Calvin cycle involves CO2 fixation, reduction, and glucose synthesis
• Essential for plant growth and development, producing energy and organic compounds
• Supports life on Earth by producing oxygen and organic compounds

Autotrophic Nutrition

Characteristics

• Mode of nutrition where organisms produce their own food using energy from light or chemicals
• Produce own food without relying on external sources
• Can thrive in environments with limited nutrients

Types

• Photoautotrophism: uses light energy (e.g., plants, algae, cyanobacteria)
• Chemoautotrophism: uses chemical energy (e.g., nitrifying bacteria, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, iron-oxidizing bacteria)

Examples

• Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria (photoautotrophs)
• Nitrifying bacteria, sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, and iron-oxidizing bacteria (chemoautotrophs)