Skill 2 - Photosynthesis
Thinking question: Why don't plants pee?!
Skill 2: Explain how plants capture light energy from the sun and store it in the bonds of glucose. Are they storing or releasing energy? Are they making or breaking down glucose?
Skill 2: Explain how plants capture light energy from the sun and store it in the bonds of glucose. Are they storing or releasing energy? Are they making or breaking down glucose?
Photosynthesis video
Photosynthesis video
In science, it is important for researchers to share their results so that others can continue their work and build on their findings. Joseph Priestley and Jan Ingenhousz both worked to discover the connection between plants and air. What did they discover between them about the connection between plants and air?
In science, it is important for researchers to share their results so that others can continue their work and build on their findings. Joseph Priestley and Jan Ingenhousz both worked to discover the connection between plants and air. What did they discover between them about the connection between plants and air?
Click the image above to watch the video about Priestley and Ingenhousz's discoveries. (Scroll down until you see the video.)
Click the image above to watch the video about Priestley and Ingenhousz's discoveries. (Scroll down until you see the video.)
Use word decoding to break down the word, "photosynthesis" into three parts.
Use word decoding to break down the word, "photosynthesis" into three parts.
Photo =
Photo =
synth =
synth =
esis =
esis =
Put it all together and write a "TTFG"* definition of photosynthesis -
Put it all together and write a "TTFG"* definition of photosynthesis -
*TTFG = tell it to a fifth grader. That means that a fifth grader should be able to understand your definition.
*TTFG = tell it to a fifth grader. That means that a fifth grader should be able to understand your definition.
Something is missing. What is made during photosynthesis? (Hint - it's a type of sugar that starts with 'g.')
Something is missing. What is made during photosynthesis? (Hint - it's a type of sugar that starts with 'g.')
What is the main source of energy for earth?
What is the main source of energy for earth?
Which organisms capture and store the energy?
Which organisms capture and store the energy?
How do other organisms get that stored energy?
How do other organisms get that stored energy?
Can you think of any ecosystem on earth that cannot rely on the sun as its energy source?
Can you think of any ecosystem on earth that cannot rely on the sun as its energy source?
Use word decoding to break down the phrase, "energy rich organic molecules." This is a phrase they like to use on the SOL test.
Use word decoding to break down the phrase, "energy rich organic molecules." This is a phrase they like to use on the SOL test.
TTFG: Energy rich organic molecules -
TTFG: Energy rich organic molecules -
Reactants - chemicals you start with, before a change takes place
Reactants - chemicals you start with, before a change takes place
such as hydrogen and oxygen
"Yield"
"Yield"
This is where the reaction is actually happening.
Products - chemicals you end with, after a change takes place
Products - chemicals you end with, after a change takes place
such as water
Name the reactants, products, and byproducts in the "reaction" above.
Name the reactants, products, and byproducts in the "reaction" above.
A byproduct is basically a leftover part.
A byproduct is basically a leftover part.
Name the three things a plant needs to make its own food. Plants DO NOT need oxygen for photosynthesis.
Name the three things a plant needs to make its own food. Plants DO NOT need oxygen for photosynthesis.
Name the main product of photosynthesis. This is the purpose of plants performing the process. Plants also put off a gas that animals need to survive...name it.
Name the main product of photosynthesis. This is the purpose of plants performing the process. Plants also put off a gas that animals need to survive...name it.
Equation for photosynthesis
Equation for photosynthesis
Energy (sunlight) + Carbon Dioxide + Water
Energy (sunlight) + Carbon Dioxide + Water
Glucose + Oxygen
Glucose + Oxygen
Inside a Chloroplast
Inside a Chloroplast
On the SOL test, they are likely to mention "thylakoids" or "thylakoid membranes." You must remember that these are the part of a chloroplast that contains the chlorophyll (green pigment) which collects the energy from sunlight used in photosynthesis.
On the SOL test, they are likely to mention "thylakoids" or "thylakoid membranes." You must remember that these are the part of a chloroplast that contains the chlorophyll (green pigment) which collects the energy from sunlight used in photosynthesis.
This chloroplast diagram is your BFFN (Best Friend For Now)...
This chloroplast diagram is your BFFN (Best Friend For Now)...
BFF with labels.pdfDiagram labels
Diagram labels
- Light dependent reactions
- Calvin cycle
- ATP
- ADP
- NADPH
- NADP+
- Carbon dioxide (CO2)
- Water (H2O)
- Glucose
- Oxygen (O2)
- Energy (sunlight)
Be sure that you can fill out all of the labels from memory and understand how the two parts of photosynthesis work together to create glucose. The two parts are the LDR (Light Dependent Reactions) which "charge the batteries" to power the Calvin Cycle which creates the glucose.
Be sure that you can fill out all of the labels from memory and understand how the two parts of photosynthesis work together to create glucose. The two parts are the LDR (Light Dependent Reactions) which "charge the batteries" to power the Calvin Cycle which creates the glucose.