Embedded Files
Essential Idea
Photosynthesis uses the energy in sunlight to produce the chemical energy needed for life.
Understandings
Photosynthesis is the production of carbon compounds in cells using light energy.
Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet the shortest wavelength and red the longest.
Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other colours.
Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the photolysis of water.
Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.
Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis.
Applications
Changes to the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and rock deposition due to photosynthesis.
Skills
Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.
Design of experiments to investigate the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis.
Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatography (VIDEO). (Practical 4)
Key Vocabulary
Visibile light
Wavelength
Chlorophyll
Photolysis
Limiting factors
Chromatography
Textbook Reading and/or Activities
Click HERE for a pdf of chapter 2.
Notes
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Bob Smullen, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
A detailed set of notes, created by Chris Paine, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
A series of questions, created by Chris Paine, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice.
A detailed set of notes, prepared by Jacob Cedarbaum, examining all of the IB learning expectations.
2.9 Study Questions (NEW Syllabus)
A series of questions, prepared by Jacob Cedarbaum, to help check your understanding of the IB learning expectations. This is VERY GOOD practice. Answers (OLD).
Learning Activities
Photosynthesis: The Light Reactions
This detailed animation, produced by John Kyrk, outlines the light reactions (in more detail than required for SL Bio) in which solar energy is used to produce the energy-carrying molecule ATP and electron-carrying molecules called NADPH.
Photosynthesis: The Dark Reactions
This detailed animation, produced by John Kyrk, outlines the light independent reactions (in more details than required for SL Bio) in which carbon dioxide is converted into sugars (glucose) within the Calvin cycle.
Virtual Lab - Plant Pigment Chromatography
This activity, by Pearson, will help you understand the process of chromatography as well as what it tells us. You will observe a lab simulation and respond to some related questions. This activity should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Lab - Paper Chromatography of Photosynthetic Pigments
This lab activity, prepared by Biology Corner, satisfies Skill 3 (Practical 4) of the IB Bio. course.
Virtual Lab - The affect of different colors on plant growth
This activity will help you understand how different wavelengths of light influence the growth of plants. You will collect data and formulate a conclusion. This activity should take about 10 minutes to complete.
Virtual Lab - Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis
This activity will help you understand how the variables of temperature, light and carbon dioxide availability can affect the process of photosynthesis. HERE is a version of the worksheet converted into Google Doc format. Please note that you can get more time using the Gizmo simulation by opening a different web browser.
Design - Investigating the Effects of Limiting Factors on Photosynthesis
This assignment will challenge you to design an investigation examining a factor that limits the photosynthetic process.
Review Activity - Energy in a Cell
This activity, prepared by McGraw-Hill, will help you review the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration with a puzzle.
Must Watch Videos
"Photosynthesis" by Pearson BioFlix (3:38)
This video outlines the process by which solar energy (light) is converted into sugars (glucose) through photosynthesis. It breaks the process down into the Light Reactions and Dark Reactions.
"The Calvin Cycle" by TED-Ed (5:37)
This video outlines the process of the Dark Reactions (Calvin Cycle) in which carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is converted into sugar (glucose) molecules.
"Photosynthesis" by Biology / Medicine Animations HD (7:26)
This video outlines the process by which sunlight is absorbed and converted within the plant producing glucose through photosynthesis.
Should Watch Videos
"Photosynthesis" by Crash Course (13:14)
This video describes the process of photosynthesis and while some of the animations are quite good (simple), the process is somewhat broken up and can be difficult to follow.
You might find this video helpful. I made it a couple years ago and it definitely includes some HL material. Watch it at your own risk. :P
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