Explain how photosynthesis is a part of the cycling of matter and energy in an ecosystem.
Identify the reactants and products of photosynthesis.
Question: What happens during photosynthesis?
Question 1
1.
What organisms use photosynthesis?
Next, you will examine an image of part of the rainforest in Indonesia.
As you explore, you should look for ways that the rainforest and organsisms within it depend upon photosynthesis.
Question 2
2.
Provide a short list of organisms in the rainforest that are dependent upon the photosynthesis?
Biochemically, photosynthesis can be described and modeled as a chemical reaction. All reactions have two basic parts - the reactants (that will either combine or breakdown) and the products (which are formed by the reactants reacting to make new substances).
Next, you will review some information to learn more about the reactants and products involved in photosynthesis.
Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis
CO2 + H2O →(light)→ C6H12O6 + O2
In order for photosynthesis to occur, CO2 (carbon dioxide) H2O (water) enter into the plant and are reactants.
After the reaction, C6H12O6 and O2 are formed as products.
C6H12O6 is glucose (a monosaccharide, carbohydrate, sugar) and is either converted into ATP to be used as an energy source or is stored in another part of the plant. C6H12O6 is the food for the plant.
O2 (oxygen gas) is a byproduct of photosynthesis and most of it is given off by the plant and released into the atmosphere.
Light (natural or artificial) is the required energy input that drives the chemical reactions of photosynthesis. Without it, photosynthesis cannot occur.
Question 3
3.
Identify each of the following as either a reactant or product of photosynthesis.
CO2 _______
C6H12O6 _______
O2 _______
H2O _______
Next, you will watch a video that describes the relationships between photosynthesis and cellular respiration (will be discussed in detail later).
As you watch, pay attention for which chemicals (reactants and products) are used in each process.
Question 4
4.
After having watched the above video, briefly describe the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration? In your answer include how are they dependent upon each other?
Next, you will watch a video about the carbon cycle (we will discuss this in more detail when we cover ecology).
As you watch, listen for the role of photosynthesis in the ecosystems described.
Question 5
5.
Describe how photosynthesis is present in the carbon cycle.
Use the information from this activity to answer the following questions.
Question 6
6.
Question 7
7.
Question 8
8.
The products of photosynthesis are _______ and _______.
Question 9
9.
_______ is a waste product (or by-product) of photosynthesis.
Question 10
10.
_______ can be stored by the plant and used later or used immediately as food by the plant. It will be converted into ATP.
Question 11
11.
Explain why all organisms are dependent upon photosynthesis.
Hint: there are two basic ways.
Question 12
12.
Question 13
13.
Please describe one or two things that you learned from this activity.
The chemical that is recycled in photosynthesis and cellular respiration is carbon dioxide.
True
False
Photosynthesis occurs in all living organisms.
True
False
After having performed this activity my confidence regarding this concept has: