Introduction to Photosynthesis

It makes food! And it makes oxygen!!

See this student-created photosynthesis diagram. If time: Watch Jimmy Stewart's take on photosynthesis from the play "You Can't Take it With You".  

Note: the scientist who documented the process of photosynthesis, Jan Ingenhousz, was born on December 8, 1730 in the Netherlands.  See the Google doodle on his birthday.

Part 1: Photosynthesis Notes

Write "Photosynthesis Notes" and then all of the following in your journal.

Photosynthesis is:

• Capturing energy from light and storing it in sugar.

• Using the sun's energy to change carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into sugar (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

Photosynthesis formula:

• 6CO2 + 6H2O ---(add light energy and chlorophyll)---> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Other Details:

• Chlorophyll is the green molecule in the chloroplasts of plants and other producers that absorbs sun's energy and helps transform it into chemical energy that is stored in sugar molecules.

• Sugar can be used immediately as food or stored for later.

See printable scaffolded notes templates here.

Part 2: Bill Nye Plants

Watch Bill Nye Plants (season 3, episode 3) and fill in the Bill Nye Plants sheet.

Part 3: Photosynthesis Review

Watch this Richard Feynman interview about where the substance of trees came from, if short on time, start at 2:10.

Answer the following questions with your group.

1)  When water and air are combined with energy from sunlight to make food, it is called: _____________________ 

2)  What type of organisms do photosynthesis? ______________

3)  Write the names for the following molecules

CO2 = _____________________________________

O2 = ______________________________________

C6H12O6 = _________________________________

H2O = __________________________________

4) Plants store the energy that they get from light in ____________________

5) The green molecule in plant cells that traps the energy from light is called ___________________.

6) Do the roots of most plants do photosynthesis, yes or no?  ___________ Why/why not? ________________________________________________

7) In what cell organelle does photosynthesis occur? _______________________

8) Write the formula for photosynthesis (use words and then symbols):

________+ _______ ---(add _______ and _______)---> ________+  ________

________+ _______ ---(add _______ and _______)---> ________+  ________

9) What is the main purpose of photosynthesis? ________________________

10) What is a side benefit of photosynthesis (especially for animals)?  _________

11) What are 2 things that plants do with the sugar that they make?

Printable version and answer key

Introduction to Photosynthesis Extension (*): Photosynthesis Art

Create a visual art project to illustrate the process of photosynthesis.  The art project must be in color and include the information in the "Photosynthesis Notes."