The document summarizes the process of photosynthesis in plants. It explains that through photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose using energy from sunlight. The process involves two stages - the light reaction which uses sunlight to produce ATP and NADPH in the chloroplasts, and the dark reaction (Calvin cycle) which uses the ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. Photosynthesis is essential as it provides oxygen for animals to breathe and glucose that is used as an energy source.

1. Photosynthesis
How plants convert CO2 into O2

2. Overall Process
Reactants: Products:
6 C02 = What we exhale C6H1206 = sugar
12 H20 = Water 6 O2 = What we breathe
Light energy from the sun
What does this mean for us?
What does this mean for plants?
What does this mean for other animals?

3. How does the plant turn light,
water and CO2 into sugar and O2?
Key Concepts:
Light Reaction
ATP Molecules
Chloroplasts
Chlorophyll
Dark Reaction
Calvin Cycle

4. A Plant Cell
image from
http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/WLuber/resources.cfm?subpage=16146
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5. The Light Reaction
• Why is it called the light reaction?
• What happens?
• What are the products?
• Where do the products go next?
• Why are leaves green?
• Your questions?

6. The Dark Reaction
• What is the Calvin Cycle?
• What are the products?
• Why does the light reaction need to occur
first?
• What happens to the products, where do they
go and why?
• When does the cycle stop?
• Your questions?

7. What we learned
image from
http://www4.nau.edu/meteorite/Meteorite/Images/photosynthesis.jpg