(DPS) Photosynthesis Lesson

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How does photosynthesis affect life on a global scale?

Check out the video below to see why photosynthesis is so important.

Autotrophs & Heterotrophs

As discussed in the previous lesson, all organisms require energy to survive. Some organisms are heterotrophs, which means they cannot make their own food. Other organisms are autotrophs, which means they can make their own food. When autotrophs use light energy from the sun to make food, the process is called photosynthesis.

Watch the presentation below to learn more:

LIGHT & PIGMENT

Did you know that sunlight is actually made up of different colors, even though it appears white?

If the object appears black, it has absorbed all the different colors.

A prism is used to separate white light into different colors. The image below shows the different colors and wavelengths associated with each color. Each color has a different amount of energy.

Take a look at the image below to learn about electromagnetic spectrums.

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Pigment and Wavelength

Watch the video below to learn about pigment and wavelength.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis is the process that provides energy for almost all life. During photosynthesis, autotrophs use the sun's energy to make carbohydrate molecules from water and carbon dioxide, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and algae and in the cell membranes of certain bacteria.

Watch the presentation below to learn more about the stages of photosynthesis.

The animation below will show the process of photosynthesis.

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Photosynthesis Challenge and Before You Go

Practice Time! Use the knowledge you learned from the lesson to complete the practice activities below.

Before You Go - You Need To Know

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The following key points are from the explore section of the lesson. You must know the following information before moving to the next lesson. This is just a summary of the key points.
  • What is the equation for photosynthesis?
    • Water + carbon dioxide + light yields glucose + oxygen
  • Where does photosynthesis occur in the cell?
    • Chloroplast
  • What is the difference between the light-dependent and light-independent reactions?
    • The light-dependent reactions capture light and produce oxygen as a byproduct. The light-independent reaction is when glucose is produced

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IMAGES CREATED BY GAVS (SHUTTERSTOCK)