Photosynthesis is the production of carbon compounds in cells using light energy
-Using carbon dioxide and water, it converts light energy into chemical energy
-It produces sugars and oxygen
-Autotrophs only can self produce these complex carbon compounds instead of consuming them
-Using carbon dioxide and water, it converts light energy into chemical energy
-It produces sugars and oxygen
-Autotrophs only can self produce these complex carbon compounds instead of consuming them
Wave Lengths of Light
-Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet the shortest wavelength and red the longest
-The range of wavelengths that photosynthesis uses (and our visible capacity also) is from 400 to 700 nanometers because they are very abundant in Earth
-Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet the shortest wavelength and red the longest
-The range of wavelengths that photosynthesis uses (and our visible capacity also) is from 400 to 700 nanometers because they are very abundant in Earth
Light Absorbed by Chlorophyl
-Chlorophyl absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other colours -The main photosynthetic pigment is chlorophyl -Chlorophyl can absorb the whole visible spectrum (ranging from red to blue) effectively except for green (the intermediate) and therefor most plants appear green to us -(In the picture) the absorption spectrum shows the individual types of pigments and the amount wavelength they can absorb, while the action spectrum shows the total amount of the summation of the different pigments |
Oxygen Production in Photosynthesis
-Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from photolysis of water
-Only in the presence of light, water molecules are split and produce oxygen as a waste product
-Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from photolysis of water
-Only in the presence of light, water molecules are split and produce oxygen as a waste product
Effects of Photosynthesis on the Earth
-Changes to the Earth's atmosphere, oceans, and rocks due to photosynthesis -When autotrophs first ruled the Earth (2,400 to 2,200 mya), there was a great increase of oxygen (2% of the atmosphere) due to al the photosynthesis taking place -The methane and carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere drastically decreased -The dissolved iron in the ocean was oxidised and and embedded in the sea floor (no a big iron mine) -Then, about 750-635 mya the oxygen in the atmosphere increased to 20% and many groups of multicellular groups evolved |
Production of Carbohydrates
-Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other compounds from carbohydrates
-Carbon dioxide + water = carbohydrate + oxygen
-Since this is an endothermic reaction, photosynthesis require sunlight because of it's light energy
-Most reactions that include oxygen and converting small molecules into bigger molecules are endothermic
-Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other compounds from carbohydrates
-Carbon dioxide + water = carbohydrate + oxygen
-Since this is an endothermic reaction, photosynthesis require sunlight because of it's light energy
-Most reactions that include oxygen and converting small molecules into bigger molecules are endothermic
Limiting Factors
-Temperature, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis
-While when temperature has an optimum point in which the rate of photosynthesis is most frequent, it can reach a denaturing point in which temperatures are too high for the organism to tolerate
-In contrast, light intensity and carbon dioxide reach a "plateau" point in which they cannot affect the rate of photosynthesis any more, since the organism has a limit of photosynthesis rate it can process despite the conditions around it
-Temperature, light intensity, and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on the rate of photosynthesis
-While when temperature has an optimum point in which the rate of photosynthesis is most frequent, it can reach a denaturing point in which temperatures are too high for the organism to tolerate
-In contrast, light intensity and carbon dioxide reach a "plateau" point in which they cannot affect the rate of photosynthesis any more, since the organism has a limit of photosynthesis rate it can process despite the conditions around it