Photosynthesis

Energy
Thermodynamics study of the flow and transformation of energy in the universe.
Law 1 law of conservation of energy energy cannot be created nor destroyed. Law 2 of Thermodynamics energy cannot be converted without the loss of usable energy.
For example the food chain, energy decreases

Autotrophs Organisms that use energy from sunlight or other inorganic substances to make organic compounds Heterotrophs Organisms that rely on consuming organic compounds that can be converted into energy.

Plants are the only photosynthetic organisms to have leaves (and not all plants have leaves). A leaf may be viewed as a solar collector crammed full of photosynthetic cells. The raw materials of photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide, enter the cells of the leaf, and the products of C6H12O6 photosynthesis, 6CO2 + 6H2O + LIGHT + 6O2 CARBON WATER ENERGY 6-CARBON OXYGEN sugar and oxygen, leave the leaf.
DIOXIDE SUGAR GAS

Process by which green plants and some bacteria manufacture carbohydrates from water and atmospheric carbon dioxide, using the energy of sunlight. Photosynthesis depends on the ability of chlorophyll molecules within plant cells to trap the energy of light.

ATP, adenosine triphosphate

is the primary source of energy required for all living cells. Energy is produced when ATP loses a phosphate molecule, and is reduced to adenosine diphosphate (ADP). ATP animation

The Process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS CAN BE SUMMARIZED BY THE FOLLOWING EQUATION: 6CO2 + CARBON DIOXIDE 6H2O + WATER LIGHT ENERGY C6H12O6 6-CARBON SUGAR + 6O2 OXYGEN GAS

Stage one, Light Energy is absorbed. Light reactions reactions where light energy is converted to chemical energy Chlorophyll absorbs mostly blue and red light and reflect green and yellow 2 types of chlorophyll chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b Carotenoids pigments that produce yellow and orange fall leaf colors, as well as, colors of fruits and vegetables.

The Carotenoids in Green Leaves are usually masked by Chlorophylls until Autumn when Chlorophylls break down

NADPH
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate that serves as an electron carrier. NADPH and ATP are used to synthesize organic molecules from CO2. Another important aspect of energy Changes from NADPH (electron full) to NADP+ (empty) and in reverse.

The Process of Photosynthesis does NOT Happen all at Once; rather it occurs in THREE STAGES: STAGE 1 Called the LIGHT DEPENDENT REACTIONS. Energy is Captured from Sunlight. Water is Split into Hydrogen Ions, Electrons, and Oxygen. STAGE 2 - The Light Energy is Converted to Chemical Energy, which is temporarily stored in ATP and NADPH. STAGE 3 - CALLED THE CALVIN CYCLE. The Chemical Energy Stored in ATP and NADPH powers the formation of Organic Compounds (Sugars), using Carbon Dioxide, CO2.

Light Reactions In the Light Dependent Processes (Light Reactions) light strikes chlorophyll a in such a way as to excite electrons to a higher energy state. Water is split in the process, releasing oxygen as a by-product of the reaction.

Chlorophyll absorb photons of light, exciting chlorophyll electrons to a higher energy level. This charge separation drives the splitting of water molecules to make oxygen (O2), protons (H+) and electrons (e ):

H2O

O2 + 4H+ + 4e-

Stage 2, Light energy is converted to chemical energy Electron Transport Chain series of molecules through which excited electrons are passed along a thylakoid membrane. Light reactions produce Oxygen as a by product. The Oxygen is not from the CO2 but from the splitting of the water molecules.

 Electron Transport chain animation Photosynthesis http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/animations/photosynt

Electron Transport Chain 1. Light hits the chloroplast, the electrons are excited and move down the membrane. 2. As they pass through a protein, energy is lost. This lost energy is used to pull H+ across. H+ is from the splitting of H2O. 3. H+ more concentrated inside the thylakoid causing a concentration gradient. This might cause the H+ to diffuse out of the thylakoid. 4. As the H+ diffuse out, a phosphate group is released to bond with ADP to form ATP.

Second electron chain 1. Provides NADPH electron carrier that provides the high energy electrons needed to make carbon- hydrogen bonds. 2. As light hits the thylakoid, the electrons are excited. Excited electrons combine with hydrogen ions as well as an electron acceptor called NADP + H, forming NADPH. 3. Outcome of Electron chain Produces energy that is used in stage 3
6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

Stage 3, Energy is stored in Organic compounds Calvin cycle or Carbon dioxide fixation

http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/Biology/Bio231/calvin What do I have to know? CO2 is used in this stage of photosynthesis Organic compounds such as carbohydrates, such as starch and sucrose is made The energy used to create these organic compounds are made from the 2 previous stages.

Factors that affect photosynthesis 1. Light intensity 2. CO2 concentration 3. Of course, H2O also.
6H2O + 6CO2 ----------> C6H12O6+ 6O2

And that is photosynthesis whew! That was a doozie. I dont know about you but I think I could go through that again so I can get a better understanding.