Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

6CO2 + 6H2O --> (Light Energy) --> C6H12O6 + 6O2

What is the difference between photosynthesis and the Calvin cycle?

The Calvin cycle doesn't require sunlight.

What does the Calvin cycle produce?

Sugars: Cellulose, Starch and other organic compounds.

The Facts:

-The Calvin cycle doesn't require sunlight
-Plants are known as producers because they create their own energy
-Another word for producers is autotrophs
-Photosynthesis is similar to cell respiration in that it's how the cell produces energy
-Without photosynthesis, cell respiration couldn't occur, as photosynthesis creates oxygen for it
-Similarly, without cell respiration, photosynthesis couldn't occur, as it requires the carbon dioxide that cell respiration gives off
-The energy released by electrons is conserved as it is passed from one molecule to another.
-Cellular respiration uses redox reactions to harvest the chemical energy stored in a glucose molecule.
-Chemiosmosis is the mechanism that not only is involved in oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria but also generates ATP in chloroplasts
-ATP synthase couples the flow of H+ to the phosphorylation of ADP.

Some Helpful Terms:

-Autotrophs: Organisms that make their own food, sustaining themselves
-Producers: Organisms that make up the food supply
-Photoautotrophs: Organisms that produce organic materials from inorganic molecules using light energy
-Chlorophyll: Light-absorbing pigment in chloroplasts that converts solar energy into chemical energy
-Mesophyll: The green tissue in the interior of the leaf where chloroplasts are concentrated
-Stomata: Pores in the lead in which CO2 enters
-Stroma: Thick fluid inside the chloroplasts
-Thylakoids: Sacks suspended in in the stroma
-Grana: Stacks of thylakoids
-Photosystem: A light-center complex consisting of light-harvesting complexes.

Diagram:

The plant that contains chlorophyll is absorbing the light energy from the sun. Not only that, but it also takes in the CO2. Within the plant, photosynthesis occurs, releasing oxygen and creating glucose.














Summary:
This chapter was about photosynthesis, which is another way that cells harvest energy, but this is exclusively to plants and other organisms that contain chloroplasts and chlorophyll. Plants are known as the producers, as they create their own food, and consumers eat them for their energy.
Photosynthesis consumes sunlight and water and produces O2 and carbohydrates for the plant. There are two types of energy cycles for plants- one is the light cycle (photosynthesis) and the dark cycle (the calvin cycle).


A Cool Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1_uez5WX1o