The document outlines the process of photosynthesis through 6 main topics: plant structure, pigments and absorbance spectrum, light-dependent reactions, Calvin cycle, and photorespiration. It discusses the key organelles and structures involved in photosynthesis in plant leaves like chloroplasts, stomata, and mesophyll tissue. It also explains the light and dark reactions of photosynthesis, including the light-dependent reaction where light energy is captured and the Calvin cycle where carbon is fixed into glucose.

1. Photosynthesis

2. Agenda
1. Curriculum Expectations
2. Plant structure
• Leaves, Stomata, Chloroplasts
3. Pigments & Absorbance spectrum
4. Light-dependant reactions
5. Calvin Cycle
6. Photorespiration

3. SPECIFIC CURRICULUM EXPECTATIONS
for Photosynthesis
 C2.1 use appropriate terminology related to metabolism, including, but not limited
to: energy carriers, glycolysis, Krebs cycle, electron transport chain, ATP synthase,
oxidative phosphorylation, chemiosmosis, proton pump, photolysis, Calvin cycle,
light and dark reactions, and cyclic and noncyclic phosphorylation [C]
 C2.3 conduct a laboratory investigation of the process of photosynthesis to identify
the products of the process, interpret the qualitative observations, and display them
in an appropriate format [PR, AI, C]
 C3.2 explain the chemical changes and energy conversions associated with the
process of photosynthesis (e.g., carbon dioxide and water react with sunlight to
produce oxygen and glucose)
 C3.3 use the laws of thermodynamics to explain energy transfer in the cell during
the processes of cellular respiration and photosynthesis
 C3.4 describe, compare, and illustrate (e.g., using flow charts) the matter and
energy transformations that occur during the processes of cellular respiration
(aerobic and anaerobic) and photosynthesis, including the roles of oxygen and
organelles such as mitochondria and chloroplasts

4. What is Photosynthesis?
Primary goal:
Convert electromagnetic energy into
useable chemical energy

5. Leaves

6. Stomata (Stoma)
 Allows passage of O2, CO2
and H2O
 Opening regulated by a
pair of photosynthetic
guard cells
 Size of guard cells changes
based on osmosis of water
in or out of cell
 Osmosis direction follows
the diffusion of K+ ions
across the membrane

7. Mesophyll
 Tissue between the epidermal layers
 Lots of chloroplasts ... lots of
photosynthesis
 Surrounded by vascular bundles
 2 distinct layers
1) Palisade
2) Spongy

8. Vascular Bundles
 Transport water and dissolved materials to
the mesophyll
 Transports food (from photosynthesis) from
the mesophyll to other parts of the plant

9. Chloroplast  In plants only
 Contains the pigment
chlorophyll (cause of
green colour), allowing
it to undergo
photosynthesis
 Two membranes
 Contains its own DNA

10. Chloroplasts

11. Chlorophyll Structure
Porphyrin Ring
 Contains e- that
absorb light energy
Chlorophyll a has and begin
a methane
photosynthesis
Chlorophyll b has
an aldehyde Hydrocarbon Tail
 Anchors molecule
to membrane

12. Why are plants green?

13. Electromagnetic Spectrum

14. History:
George Englemann’s experiment

15. Absorption Spectrum of
Chlorophyll

16. Absorption Spectrum of all pigments

17. Chlorophyll - fluorescence

18. Chlorophyll a - Electron Donor

19. Overview of Photosynthesis
 Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light  Glucose + Oxygen
CO2 + H2O + Light  C6H12O6 + O2
2 stages:
 Light Dependent Rxn (thylakoid)
 Light Independent Rxn aka Calvin Cycle (stroma)
6CO2 + 6 H2O + Light  C6H12O6 + 6O2

20. Change in energy levels

21. Overview of photosynthesis

22. Light-dependent Reaction

23. Light-dependent Reaction

24. Calvin Cycle
 Outsideof the Thylakoid – in the stroma
 Misconception: Not “DARK REACTION”
 3 phases:
 Phase 1 – Carbon Fixation
 Phase 2 – Reduction Reactions
 Phase 3 – Regeneration of RuBP

25. Calvin Cycle

26. Calvin Cycle

28. Lastly, Photorespiration
• Consequences of wasteful oxygenation of
Rubisco – addition of oxygen instead of
CO2 (about 25% of plants)
• C3 plants
• C4 and CAM plants
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