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Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is one of the most important natural processes that occur. It is also
one of the hardest processes to understand. If you are not sure what exactly
photosynthesis is do not be alarmed. Many people have an idea of what it is though
they do not know what the process does specifically.

In its most simple definition photosynthesis is the chemical process which changes
chemicals and nutrients into food. This definition sums up the entire process nicely.
However, the actual reaction that occurs is much harder to explain.

Plants are not the only species that use photosynthesis. Algae and even various forms
of bacteria use the process to convert chemical energy into food as well. Any species
that uses photosynthesis to produce food is called a phototroph. The chemical energy
is most often produced by sunlight. This is why sunlight is important to the survival of
plant life.

Water is also necessary for photosynthesis to occur. You probably already know that
when you water a plant the water is absorbed through its roots. The water travels
through the roots up long tubes that lead from the roots to other parts of the plant.
These tubes are called xylem.

As animals breathe in oxygen they release carbon dioxide into the air. The plants take
in the carbon dioxide that has been exhaled. Essentially, they recycle the carbon
dioxide, using it for the process of photosynthesis. A plant has tiny openings called
stomata. Stomata are located in the leaves of the plant. Carbon dioxide is taken into
the plant through these openings.

Now that the plant has chemical energy from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide it only
needs one more thing for photosynthesis to occur. The plant already has chlorophyll
within its leaves. Chlorophyll is a green jelly like chemical that combines with all the
other essential ingredients for photosynthesis.

So, to review, for photosynthesis to occur a plant needs:

Water
Chemical Energy from Sunlight
Chlorophyll
Carbon Dioxide

Chlorophyll is responsible for combining all the essential elements of photosynthesis. It

also mixes in nutrients that are found in the soil. As everything combines photosynthesis
changes the mixture into stored food. Photosynthesis allows the plant to feed itself. The
stored food is also used when humans and other animals eat plants. The next time you
eat a vegetable you will know that the energy you receive by eating the plant was
produced by photosynthesis.

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As photosynthesis occurs oxygen is released into the air. This is the oxygen we
breathe. Plants recycle the oxygen through taking in carbon dioxide (which humans and
other animals release when they exhale). Once photosynthesis has occurred, new
oxygen is produced, animals breathe it in, carbon dioxide is released, and the process
repeats over and over again. Without photosynthesis we would not have oxygen in the
air. We would all die. That is why it is so important to keep trees and other plant life
around.

Here is the common chemical equation that is associated with photosynthesis:

The left side of the arrow shows us 6 molecules of carbon dioxide (one molecule of
carbon dioxide contains 1 carbon atom and 2 oxygen atoms) plus 6 molecules of water
(one molecule of water contains 2 hydrogen atoms and 1 oxygen atom) yields (this is
what the arrow means yields is the same as saying produces) glucose (one molecule
for sugar contains 6 carbon atoms, 12 hydrogen atoms and 6 oxygen atoms) and 6
oxygen molecules (oxygen may be associated with one or more atom). The equation for
glucose (sugar) and oxygen is on the right side of the arrow.

Sugar produces energy. Glucose is a common substance in nearly every form of life
that produces energy. All of the food we eat is converted to glucose. Plants use glucose
as the primary part of the food that is stored. The oxygen, of course, is released into the
air since the plant no longer needs it.

Respiration

The opposite reaction to photosynthesis is called respiration. Respiration occurs once

an animal or human eats the food that contains glucose. Even when we eat meat we
are still getting energy from photosynthesis. The meat we eat often comes from animals
that eat plants and the energy from their food is transferred to us through the meat.

The equation for respiration is:

You should notice that the right side and the left side of the equation for photosynthesis
swapped places. Respiration occurs in the cells of humans and animals. Glucose and
oxygen are taken from food and the air. They are combined together in the mitochondria
of the cell. As respiration occurs molecules of water and carbon dioxide are released.
The body uses the water if it is needed. The carbon dioxide molecules are released
from the cell and into the air so plants can use them for photosynthesis.

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As you can see, photosynthesis and respiration work together. There is a never ending
cycle as carbon dioxide and oxygen are exchanged back and forth between plant life
and animal life. Regardless, without photosynthesis we would not be here. It truly is one
of the most important processes, which is why it is so important to understand how it
works.

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Photosynthesis Worksheet

I. Matching

1. _______ Photosynthesis A. A green jelly-like substance used to

2. _______ Respiration
3. _______ Stomata
4. _______ xylem
5. _______ phototroph
6. _______ chlorophyll
convert the essential elements of
photosynthesis into energy
B. Tiny openings in leaves that absorb
carbon dioxide
C. A species that uses photosynthesis to
make food
D. Tubes in plants that transport water
from the roots
E. The process plants use to create
stored food
F. The process that is the opposite of
photosynthesis

II. Multiple Choice

1. What is not essential for photosynthesis to occur?

A. Carbon Dioxide B. Oxygen

C. Water D. Sunlight

2. Photosynthesis occurs in ___________.

A. Plants B. Algae

C. Some Bacteria D. All of the Above

3. A __________ is a phototroph.

A. Moose B. Cow

C. Human D. Tree

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4. Without photosynthesis humans would not receive ________.

A. Oxygen B. Energy from Glucose/Stored Food

C. Both A & B D. None of the Above

5. The stomata are located in the ___________.

A. Leaves B. Roots

C. Flower D. Stem

6. The xylem transports water from the ___________ to other parts of the plant.

A. Roots B. Leaves

C. Stem D. Flower

7. Respiration occurs in the ___________ of an animal cell.

A. Nucleus B. Cell Membrane

C. Mitochondria D. Cell Wall

8. Glucose is another word for _____________.

A. Sugar B. Water

C. Minerals D. Vitamins

III. Fill in the Blank & Short Answers

1. Photosynthesis yields _________________ and oxygen molecules.

2. Respiration yields _________________ _________________ (2 words) and water

molecules.

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3. Explain why photosynthesis is important. Name two things that are essential to
human and animal life that are a product of photosynthesis.

4. What would happen if all the trees and other plants disappeared? Why do you think
environmentalists are so concerned about protecting plant life?

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Teachers Answer Key

Matching

1. E
2. F
3. B
4. D
5. C
6. A

Multiple Choice

1. B
2. D
3. D
4. C
5. A
6. A
7. C
8. A

Fill in the Blank & Short Answers

1. Glucose
2. Carbon Dioxide
3. Photosynthesis is important because it produces oxygen which animals and humans
need to breathe and also stored energy which is transported to humans and animals
through food. This energy is converted to glucose.
4. Answers may vary. However, it should list that without plants there would be no
oxygen and animal/human life would die as a result.

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