what is photosynthesis ap biology

AP Biology - Investigation: Photosynthesis

• Background and PreLab. Photosynthesis fuels ecosystems and replenishes the Earth's atmosphere with oxygen. ...
• Leaf Structure and Function. In this investigation, you will use a system that measures the accumulation of oxygen in the leaf. ...
• Procedure. Collect leaf disks by punching holes in the dark green portion of a leaf (try to get them between the veins).

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What does the AP in 'AP Biology' mean?

Advanced Placement Biology (also known as AP Biology or AP Bio) is an Advanced Placement biology course and exam offered by the College Board in the United States. For the 2012–2013 school year, the College Board unveiled a new curriculum with a greater focus on "scientific practices".

Where does photosynthesis take place biology?

Photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplasts that sit in the mesophyll of the leaves. The thylakoids sit inside the chloroplast and they contain chlorophyll which absorbs the different colours of the light spectrum to create energy (Source: Biology: LibreTexts). Why does photosynthesis take place?

What are the three stages in photosynthesis?

what are the 3 stages of photosynthesis. The three events that occur during the process of photosynthesis are: (i) Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll. (ii) Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. (iii) Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

What are the basics of photosynthesis?

• In plants, photosynthesis usually occurs in the leaves. ...
• The process of photosynthesis is divided into two main parts: light dependent reactions and light independent or dark reactions. ...
• Chlorophyll and other carotenoids form what are called antenna complexes. ...

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Where does photosynthesis occur AP Bio?

chloroplastsPlants take advantage of the fact that some photons can be absorbed and use the energy of these photons for photosynthesis. This energy conversion takes place in the chloroplasts of the plant cell, where light energy is converted to chemical energy.

What is photosynthesis biology answer?

photosynthesis, the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.

How do you study photosynthesis for AP Bio?

4:537:34Photosynthesis Sketch Notes for AP Bio - Simple - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAn easy way to remember which one is produced in which process is that nadph has a p just likeMoreAn easy way to remember which one is produced in which process is that nadph has a p just like photosynthesis has a p nadh is just the one that is used in cellular respiration.

What is photosynthesis in human biology?

Through photosynthesis, certain organisms convert solar energy (sunlight) into chemical energy, which is then used to build carbohydrate molecules. The energy used to hold these molecules together is released when an organism breaks down food. Cells then use this energy to perform work, such as cellular respiration.

What is photosynthesis example?

An example of photosynthesis is how plants convert sugar and energy from water, air and sunlight into energy to grow. (biology) The process by which plants and other photoautotrophs generate carbohydrates and oxygen from carbon dioxide, water, and light energy.

Why is photosynthesis important?

Photosynthesis sustains life on Earth today by releasing oxygen into the atmosphere and providing energy for food chains. The rise of oxygen-producing photosynthesis allowed the evolution of complex life forms like animals and land plants around 2.4 billion years ago.

How does photosynthesis work step by step?

0:133:19Photosynthesis Steps and Pathways - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPhotosynthesis occurs in two steps inside of the chloroplast. The first step is the light reaction.MorePhotosynthesis occurs in two steps inside of the chloroplast. The first step is the light reaction. Which occurs in the thylakoid. Discs. Here energy from light is captured. And water is split to

What are the 7 steps of photosynthesis?

Terms in this set (7)Step 1-Light Dependent. CO2 and H2O enter the leaf.Step 2- Light Dependent. Light hits the pigment in the membrane of a thylakoid, splitting the H2O into O2.Step 3- Light Dependent. The electrons move down to enzymes.Step 4-Light Dependent. ... Step 5-Light independent. ... Step 6-Light independent. ... calvin cycle.

What are the 4 main steps of photosynthesis?

The overall process of photosynthesis can be objectively divided into four steps/ process:Absorption of light. The first step in photosynthesis is the absorption of light by chlorophylls that are attached to the proteins in the thylakoids of chloroplasts. ... Electron Transfer. ... Generation of ATP. ... Carbon Fixation.

What is photosynthesis and where in a cell does it occur?

Photosynthesis is a process by which autotrophic organisms (green plants, algae and chlorophyll containing bacteria) utilize the energy from sunlight to synthesize their own food. It occur in the chloroplast of the cell.

Which of the following best describes photosynthesis?

Answer: Photosynthesis converts radiant energy into chemical energy.

What type of reaction is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction. This means it cannot occur without energy (from the Sun). The light required is absorbed by a green pigment called chlorophyll in the leaves. Chlorophyll is found in chloroplasts in plant cells , particularly the palisade and spongy mesophyll cells .

What is photosynthesis class9?

“Photosynthesis is the process used by green plants and a few organisms that use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to prepare their food.” The process of photosynthesis is used by plants, algae and certain bacteria that convert light energy into chemical energy.

What is photosynthesis class 7th?

Photosynthesis is the process in which solar energy is trapped by chlorophyll to convert the carbon dioxide and water to produce food in the form of glucose. It is produced in the plants where chlorophyll is present inside the chloroplast as trapping the solar energy initiates the process.

What is photosynthesis PDF?

Photosynthesis is a chemical process. that converts carbon dioxide into different organic compounds using solar energy. Oxygenic. and anoxygenic photosynthesis undergo different reactions in the presence and absence of. light (called light and dark reactions, respectively).

What is photosynthesis formula?

The process of photosynthesis is commonly written as: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This means that the reactants, six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules, are converted by light energy captured by chlorophyll (implied by the arrow) into a sugar molecule and six oxygen molecules, the products.

What is the process of photosynthesis?

Most life on Earth depends on photosynthesis .The process is carried out by plants, algae, and some types of bacteria, which capture energy from sunlight to produce oxygen (O 2) and chemical energy stored in glucose (a sugar).

What is the chemical used in photosynthesis?

ATP. Noun. (adenosine triphosphate) chemical found in most living cells and used for energy. C3 photosynthesis. Noun. Used by the majority of plants, it involves producing a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglyceric acid during the Calvin Cycle, which goes on to become a sugar called glucose. C4 photosynthesis.

How does carbon dioxide change water into glucose?

Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while the carbon dioxide is reduced, meaning it gains electrons. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy within the glucose molecules.

What is the Calvin cycle?

Involves producing a four-carbon intermediate compound, which splits into carbon dioxide and a three-carbon compound during the Calvin Cycle in plants that do not get a lot of light or water. Calvin cycle. Noun.

What is the energy that plants use?

Inside the plant cell are small organelles called chloroplasts, which store the energy of sunlight. Within the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast is a light-absorbing pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving the plant its green color. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs energy from blue- and red-light waves, and reflects green-light waves, making the plant appear green.

Why are the leaves of plants green?

The plant leaves are green because that color is the part of sunlight reflected by a pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll. Photograph courtesy of Shutterstock. ATP.

What is the chemical element that forms the basis of all known life?

series of reactions that take place during photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere are converted into sugar. carbon. Noun. chemical element with the symbol C, which forms the basis of all known life.

What is AP biology?

There’s a lot of information in the Advanced Placement (AP) Biology photosynthesis unit that can distract you from remembering its most important concept: the transformation of light energy into chemical energy, and then its storage in the bonds of carbohydrates.

When the plant needs energy to perform metabolic processes, sugars created by photosynthesis are broken down and the chemical energy is?

In this way, light energy (as well as a few other products – can you name them?) is used to create carbohydrates that can be stored and used as “food” energy .

What are the parts of the Calvin cycle?

The Calvin Cycle occurs in three main parts: fixation, reduction , and regeneration . During fixation, a RuBisCoenzyme catalyzes a reaction between 3 CO 2 molecules and three ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) molecules. This forms six molecules of 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA). The cycle completes three times, during each of which one RuBP and one CO 2 molecule interact. This is known as carbon fixation. During reduction, the ATP and NADPH created in the first stage of photosynthesis are used to convert the 3-PGA to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (PGAL). ATP is converted back to ADP in this reaction, and NADPH is converted back to NADP +. These products are recycled in the first phase of photosynthesis – the light-dependent phase. During regeneration , PGAL is exported to produce food products such as carbohydrates. This occurs in a 1:5 ratio: for every turn of the Calvin Cycle, two PGAL molecules are created. As it takes three turns of the cycles to use all RuBP molecules, six molecules of PGAL are created. One is exported, while five are used to regenerate RuBP. The one PGAL expelled collects in the cytosol. Once several have collected, PGAL molecules react to form sugar, in the form of six-carbon phosphates, which in turn react to form sucrose.

What happens after the plastocyanin is reached?

After the reaching the plastocyanin, the electrons move into the P700 of the Photo system I , converting it to P700*. At this stage, the electrons are further excited by light energy absorbed by the Photo system I. The electrons travel further along the electron transfer chain, from the Photo system I to membrane-bound iron sulfur proteins to ferredoxin molecules, losing part of their energy to molecules of the ETC at each stage. This energy is used to further the proton gradient across the chloroplast membrane, and the electron reduces the NADP+ molecule to NADPH.

How does chlorophyll absorb light?

Each molecule of chlorophyll absorbs one photon of light . This excess of energy causes the photon to release an electron into Photosystem II, where it changes the P680 molecule to a P680*. This releases the electron, which is passed through various molecules in the electron transport chain. The electron transport chain causes a proton gradient across the chloroplast membrane. This gradient is used to produce ATP from ADP during photo phosphorylation.

Where does the energy of the chloroplasts go?

Once light energy (in the form of photons) has been absorbed by the chlorophyll and other pigments of the chloroplast, this energy needs to go somewhere. The energy is transferred to the photo systems of the chloroplast – bundles of chlorophyll pigments packed into thylakoids. Thylakoids are membrane-bound sacs inside chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur. The energy is carried by electrons; these electrons are known in this state as “excited” electrons. The excited electrons concentrate in the thylakoid membrane proteins, which power photosynthesis. The photosynthetic process begins in Photo system II – so called because this photo system was the second photo system discovered (don’t get confused – Photo system I is used later in photosynthesis!).

Why is light the driving force of photosynthesis?

We say that light is the driving force behind photosynthesis because light is the original provider of the energy used in the photosynthetic process. The first set of reactions in photosynthesis are called “light-dependent” reactions because they need light energy to start and continue. The second set of reactions are known as “light-independent” reactions as they function using the energy produced by the first set of reactions, but not the photons themselves.

Where does photosynthesis occur in plants?

In plants, photosynthesis generally takes place in leaves , which consist of several layers of cells. The process of photosynthesis occurs in a middle layer called the mesophyll. The gas exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen occurs through small, regulated openings called stomata (singular: stoma), which also play roles in the regulation of gas exchange and water balance. The stomata are typically located on the underside of the leaf, which helps to minimize water loss. Each stoma is flanked by guard cells that regulate the opening and closing of the stomata by swelling or shrinking in response to osmotic changes.

How does photosynthesis work?

Photosynthesis is essential to all life on earth; both plants and animals depend on it. It is the only biological process that can capture energy that originates in outer space (sunlight) and convert it into chemical compounds (carbohydrates) that every organism uses to power its metabolism. In brief, the energy of sunlight is captured and used to energize electrons, whose energy is then stored in the covalent bonds of sugar molecules. How long lasting and stable are those covalent bonds? The energy extracted today by the burning of coal and petroleum products represents sunlight energy captured and stored by photosynthesis almost 200 million years ago.

Why is photosynthesis important?

Photosynthesis is vital because it evolved as a way to store the energy in solar radiation (the “photo-” part) as energy in the carbon-carbon bonds of carbohydrate molecules (the “-synthesis” part). Those carbohydrates are the energy source that heterotrophs use to power the synthesis of ATP via respiration.

Why do plants close their stomata?

On a hot, dry day, plants close their stomata to conserve water. What impact will this have on photosynthesis?

Why are light-dependent reactions full?

The energy carriers that move energy from light-dependent reactions to light-independent reactions can be thought of as “full” because they are rich in energy. After the energy is released, the “empty” energy carriers return to the light-dependent reaction to obtain more energy.

What are the processes that require free energy?

As we learned in Chapter 7, all living organisms, from simple bacteria to complex plants and animals, require free energy to carry out cellular processes, such as growth and reproduction. Organisms use various strategies to capture, store, transform, and transfer free energy, including photosynthesis.

Which organisms can perform photosynthesis?

Although all organisms carry out some form of cellular respiration, only certain organisms, called photoautotrophs, can perform photosynthesis. Examples of photoautotrophs include plants, algae, some unicellular eukaryotes, and cyanobacteria.

Which enzyme captures energy from the sun during light dependent reaction?

oxidase; captures energy from the sun during light dependent reaction. ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase; captures energy from the sun during light dependent reaction.

What is the reaction of CO2 produced from the light dependent reaction?

During the first step of the light independent reaction, or Calvin Cycle, CO2 produced from the light dependent reaction reacts with RuBP. This reaction is catalyzed by Rubisco, or ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase.

How many molecules of G3P are produced in the Calvin cycle?

The G3P is ultimately converted to glucose. Every 3 cycles of the Calvin Cycle (light independent reaction), 6 molecules of G3P are produced; only 1 is used to produce glucose. The remaining 5 molecules of G3P are used to regenerate RuBP to allow the Calvin Cycle to continue.

What is the Calvin cycle?

Calvin cycle. Explanation: The light-independent reaction in photosynthesis is called the Calvin cycle. Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle are the first and second steps in cellular respiration, respectively.

What happens during the Calvin cycle?

During the light independent reaction, or the Calvin Cycle, carbon fixation first occurs. CO2 produced during the light dependent reaction reacts with RuBP, ultimately producing PGA. This reaction is catalyzed by the enzyme Rubisco.

What is the first step of the light dependent reaction?

Absorption of sunlight in photosystem II is the first step of the light dependent reaction, not the light independent reaction. During the light independent reaction, or the Calvin Cycle, carbon fixation first occurs. CO2 produced during the light dependent reaction reacts with RuBP, ultimately producing PGA.

Which membrane is the Calvin cycle?

Thylakoid membrane. Cytoplasm. Chloroplast outer membrane. Mitochondrial lumen. Correct answer: Stroma. Explanation: The Calvin Cycle (dark reactions) take place in the stroma of the chloroplasts, which is the aqueous space inside the organelle.

What Is Photosynthesis in Biology?

The word “ photosynthesis ” is derived from the Greek words phōs (pronounced: “fos”) and σύνθεσις (pronounced: “synthesis “)Phōs means “light” and σύνθεσις means, “combining together.” This means “ combining together with the help of light .”

What is the process of photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a process by which phototrophs convert light energy into chemical energy, which is later used to fuel cellular activities . The chemical energy is stored in the form of sugars, which are created from water and carbon dioxide.

What is the organelle that converts carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen?

Leaves contain microscopic cellular organelles known as chloroplasts.

How does chlorophyll absorb light energy?

Chlorophyll absorbs the light energy from the sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen from water molecules and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air are used in the production of glucose. Furthermore, oxygen is liberated out into the atmosphere through the leaves as a waste product.

Where is chlorophyll found?

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of the plant cell and in the mesosomes of cyanobacteria. This green colour pigment plays a vital role in the process of photosynthesis by permitting plants to absorb energy from sunlight. Chlorophyll is a mixture of chlorophyll- a and chlorophyll- b.

Where does light energy come from in photosynthesis?

Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon dioxide and oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata located in the epidermis of leaves. Another by-product of photosynthesis is sugars such as glucose and fructose. These sugars are then sent to the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds.

Why is photosynthesis important?

Photosynthesis is essential for the existence of all life on earth. It serves a crucial role in the food chain – the plants create their food using this process, thereby, forming the primary producers.

How does photosynthesis work?

In photosynthesis, they go in the opposite direction, starting in water and winding up in glucose— an energy-requiring process powered by light. Like cellular respiration, photosynthesis also uses an electron transport chain to make ...

How do photosynthesis and cellular respiration differ?

On a simplified level, photosynthesis and cellular respiration are opposite reactions of each other. In photosynthesis, solar energy is harvested as chemical energy in a process that converts water and carbon dioxide to glucose.

What are the light dependent reactions?

The light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle 1 The light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membrane and require a continuous supply of light energy. Chlorophylls absorb this light energy, which is converted into chemical energy through the formation of two compounds, —an energy storage molecule—and —a reduced (electron-bearing) electron carrier. In this process, water molecules are also converted to oxygen gas—the oxygen we breathe! 2 The Calvin cycle, also called the light-independent reactions, takes place in the stroma and does not directly require light. Instead, the Calvin cycle uses and from the light-dependent reactions to fix carbon dioxide and produce three-carbon sugars—glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, or G3P, molecules—which join up to form glucose.

How do heterotrophs get carbon?

Heterotrophs must get fixed carbon by eating other organisms or their by-products. Animals, fungi, and many prokaryotes and protists are heterotrophs. [Read more about autotrophs and heterotrophs.] Besides introducing fixed carbon and energy into ecosystems, photosynthesis also affects the makeup of Earth’s atmosphere.

What is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis is the process in which light energy is converted to chemical energy in the form of sugars. In a process driven by light energy, glucose molecules (or other sugars) are constructed from water and carbon dioxide, and oxygen is released as a byproduct.

What is the energy of glucose?

The glucose molecules serve as fuel for cells: their chemical energy can be harvested through processes like cellular respiration and fermentation, which generate adenosine triphosphate— , a small , energy-carrying molecule—for the cell’s immediate energy needs.

What is the process of incorporating carbon into organic molecules?

Fixed carbon. Carbon from carbon dioxide—inorganic carbon—can be incorporated into organic molecules; this process is called carbon fixation, and the carbon in organic molecules is also known as fixed carbon. The carbon that's fixed and incorporated into sugars during photosynthesis can be used to build other types of organic molecules needed by cells.

What is the first step of photosynthesis?

The light reaction is the first step of photosynthesis. Light energy is absorbed into the chlorophyll of photosystem II causing electrons to energize and split Water molecules into Hydrogen and Oxygen.

What is the process of synthesis of complex organic materials and light energy to convert into chemical energy?

Photosynthesis is the synthesis of complex organic materials and light energy to convert into chemical energy. To do this there is a series of light and dark reactions. These light and dark reactions explains how the plants produce Oxygen and glucose (starch) molecules.

How is the rate of photosynthesis measured?

Like all enzyme-driven reactions, the rate of photosynthesis can be measured by either the disappearance of substrate, or the accumulation of products. The equation for photosynthesis is: To determine the rate of photosynthesis, ...

What happens to the leaf during photosynthesis?

As photosynthesis proceeds, oxygen accumulates in the air spaces of the spongy mesophyll. The leaf becomes buoyant and floats . While this is going on, the leaf is also carrying out cellular respiration. This respiration will consume the oxygen that has accumulated and possibly cause the plant disks to sink.

What is the mesophyll layer of a leaf?

Consider the anatomy of the leaf. The leaf is composed of layers of cells. The spongy mesophy ll layer is normally infused with gases, oxygen and carbon dioxide. Leaves (or disks cut from leaves) will normally float in water because of these gases.

Light: The Driving Force of Photosynthesis

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The Electron Transport Chain

ATP Production

Kinetic, Potential, and Then Chemical Energy

Light Independent React®Ions

The Calvin Cycle

Conclusion