HIstory Essay

Lil Dejay
C4 2/10/14
Photosynthesis: Making Energy
Chloroplasts
Photosynthesis is a process in which sunlight energy is used to make glucose. The site of photosynthesis is in the chloroplast – an organelle found in the leaves of green plants. The main functions of chloroplasts are to produce food (glucose) during photosynthesis, and to store food energy. Chloroplasts contain the pigment, chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs most of the colors in the color spectrum, and reflects only green and yellow wavelengths of light. This is why we see leaves as green or yellow – because these colors are reflected into our eyes.

1. What is photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is a process that uses energy from the sun to make glucose.
2. Where does photosynthesis occur? It occurs in the chloroplast.
3. What are chloroplasts and where are they found? They are organelles found in the leaves of green plants.
4. What are the two main functions of chloroplasts? To produce food and store food energy.
5. Why doe most leaves appear green? They appear green because of the pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs colors and reflects only green or yellow.
6. What is the primary pigment found in the chloroplast? Chlorophyll.

Photosynthesis
Glucose is another name for sugar. The molecular formula for glucose is C6H12O6. Plants make sugar by using the energy from sunlight to transform CO2 from the air with water from the ground into glucose. This process, called photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast of the plant cell. During this process, oxygen (O2) is created as a waste product and is released into the air for us to breath. The formula for photosynthesis is: (reactants) (products)
CO2 + H2O + sunlight ----> C6H12O6 + O2

This formula says that carbon dioxide + water molecules are combined with the energy from sunlight to produce sugar and oxygen. The reactants in photosynthesis (what is used) are CO2, water and sun. The plant gets water from the ground through its roots. The plant collects carbon dioxide from the air. Much of the carbon dioxide comes from living organisms that exhale (breath it out) it, but some also comes from factory smokestacks and car fumes.

7. What is the formula for photosynthesis? CO2 + H2O + sunlight = C6H12O6 + O2.
8. What three things are used to make glucose in photosynthesis? Carbon Dioxide, water and sunlight.
9. Where does the water come from? The water comes from the ground.
10. Where does the water enter the plant? It enters at the root of the plant.
11. Name 3 some sources of CO2. From the air, living organism’s exhale and car fumes.
12. What type of energy does the plant use to convert CO2 and H2O into sugar? Energy from the sun.

The products are glucose and oxygen. The glucose produced is used by the plant for energy and growth. We also use this glucose by eating plants. The oxygen produced is released into the air for us to breath. Photosynthesis is essential for all life on earth, because it provides food and oxygen. Plants are considered autotrophs because unlike us humans, they can make their own food using this process.

13. What is produced in photosynthesis? Glucose and oxygen.
14. What is the glucose used for? For energy and growth in plants and in animals.
15. What is the oxygen used for? Oxygen is used for us to breathe.

16. Here are three different ways to visualize the photosynthesis reaction: Is it easier for you to understand the reaction by using pictures, words, or symbols (see above)? Why?
Symbols are easier for me to understand because pictures, if not interpreted properly confuse me and words aren’t always clear.

Photosynthesis in pictures
Photosynthesis in words
Photosynthesis in symbols

Carbon dioxide and water combine with sunlight to create oxygen and glucose.

light
CO + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2

Essential Question: Describe, using scientific terms, how plants turn sunlight into energy? Make sure to refer to the chemical equation to photosynthesis and discus the reactants and products.
{CO2 + H2O + sunlight} = (C6H12O6 + O2)
Reactants Products
Plants absorb carbon dioxide, water and sunlight energy to produce glucose and oxygen. Which it uses for energy and growth.

Cellular Respiration: Breaking down Energy

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of the cell. They are Organelles that act like a digestive system that takes in nutrients, breaks them down, and creates energy for the cell. The process of creating cell energy is known as Cellular Respiration Most of the chemical reactions involved in cellular respiration happen in the mitochondria. A mitochondrion is shaped perfectly to maximize its efforts. Remember they have two membranes to Increase chemical reactions!

1. What process happens in the mitochondria? Cellular respiration.

2. What is the purpose of the process in #1 (what does it create)? It creates energy for the cell.

Introduction to Cellular Respiration
Organisms, such as plants and algae, can trap the energy in sunlight through Chloroplast and store it in the chemical bonds of carbohydrate molecules. The principal carbohydrate formed through photosynthesis is Glucose_. Other types of organisms, such as animals, fungi, protozoa, and a large portion of the bacteria, are unable to perform this process. Therefore, these organisms must rely on the carbohydrates formed in plants to obtain the energy necessary for their Cellular processes. This means they must eat plants and other animals in order to gain energy.
4. Some organisms perform photosynthesis to produce energy. Other organisms cannot do photosynthesis. What can they do in order to generate energy? They can eat the organisms that produce their own energy.
5. Animals and other organisms obtain the energy available in carbohydrates through the process of cellular respiration. What is the purpose of cellular respiration? To produce energy for the cells.
Cells take the carbohydrates into their Mitochondria, and through a complex series of metabolic processes, they break down the Carbohydrates and release the energy. The energy is generally not needed Immeadiately; rather it is used to combine adenosine diphosphate (ADP) with another phosphate to form adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules. The ATP molecules can then be used for processes in the cells that require energy, much as a battery powers a mechanical device. During the process of cellular respiration, Carbon dioxide is given off. Plant cells can use this carbon dioxide during Cellular respiration to form new carbohydrates.
6. What happens to carbohydrates during cellular respiration? They are broken down and released as energy.
7. What is the chemical energy in the cell called? ATP
8. What does ATP stand for? Adenosine Triphosphate
9. What is one product of cellular respiration? Carbon dioxide.
10. How do animals get rid of the carbon dioxide? They exhale it. What body system is involved with removing this waste? Respiratory.
Also in the process of cellular respiration, oxygen gas is required to serve as an acceptor of electrons. This oxygen is identical to the oxygen gas given off during photosynthesis.
11. (Circle one) Oxygen is a PRODUCT OR REACTANT of respiration? (In other words, is it needed or released?)
Energy-producing process
Reaction
Location in cell

Photosynthesis

12. CO2 +H2O +sunlight energy = C6H12O6 + O2

Chloroplast

Cellular respiration

13. Mitochondria
Reflection Question: Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Be sure to include the main purpose of both and where they occur inside the cell. They both are used to create energy and they both either use or produce glucose and oxygen.
HUMANS AND PLANTS
Humans need plants. All animals do. Humanity's relationship with plants has actually made it possible for us to have a civilization. Before we had cities, humans went around in little packs and were hunter-gatherers. We ate rats, birds, berries, and whatever food we could find. It wasn't very efficient. One day someone had the bright idea to plant the plants we like to eat. When humans did that, they were able to stay in one place full time. Then came the cities and a huge system of agriculture to support millions of people.
BIG TIME FARMING
As time has passed, we have taken farming to new levels. We have manipulated species to create big apples and large ears of corn. The plants would never have done it in the wild. It took man to change the plants. We are also moving toward the genetic alteration of plants. We're trying to make plants that are resistant to disease and bugs. These stronger plants will allow our crops to give us more food from the same amount of space.

1. Genetic alteration probably refers to altering what…. DNA (found in the nucleus)