Photosynthesis

Explain why all living things depend on photosynthesis to survive:

All living things depend on photosynthesis as a source of energy. Photosynthesis produces glucose or sugar and that stays with in the plant. This sugar is used for energy not only by the plant, but also by the organisms that consume it.

Define Heterotroph:

An organism that does not make its own food

Define Autotroph:

An organism that makes its own food

Explain stage one of photosynthesis:

Chloroplasts in plants cells capture energy from sunlight

What type of organism does photosynthesis occur in?

Photosynthesis occurs only in plants and a VERY small amount of organism because photosynthesis only occur in a small green pigment called chlorophyll and only plants and some other organisms contain chlorophyll in their cells.

Define Chlorophyll:

Main photosynthetic pigment in chloroplasts

Define photosynthesis:

Process by which a cell captures energy in sunlight and uses it to make food. Nearly all LIVING things obtain energy either directly or indirectly from energy of sunlight.

List the two stages of photosynthesis:

Stage 1: Capturing the sun's energy Stage 2: Using energy to make food

Explain stage two of photosynthesis:

Water and carbon dioxide are used to produce sugar 1. Roots absorb water from the soil, water moves through the plants stem 2. Carbon dioxide enters cell through tiny openings called stomata 3. Water and carbon dioxide move into chloroplast 4. Go through complex chemical reactions that are powered by the energy captured in stage 1 5. Chemical reactions produce sugar 6. Also produces oxygen - exits leaf though stomata