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PHOTOSYNTHESIS. Photosynthesis:. A process, in which, plants and algae are able to capture energy from the sun and use it to produce ATP & energy storing carbohydrates. 3 Stages of Photosynthesis. Stage 1: Capturing Light Energy
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Photosynthesis: • A process, in which, plants and algae are able to capture energy from the sun and use it to produce ATP & energy storing carbohydrates
3 Stages of Photosynthesis • Stage 1: Capturing Light Energy • Chlorophyll: Pigment that absorbs (certain wavelengths) light, which helps in the gathering of energy for photosynthesis • Chlorophyll is found in the chloroplast of the cell – most specifically in a disk-like structure called a thylakoid
Side note: ATP • Remember from yesterday ? • ATP can store energy and deliver it to cells • Now continuing to stage 2
Stage 2: Using Light Energy to Make ATP and NADPH • Light hits the chloroplast exciting the electrons causing them to pass through a chain of electron carriers. • This energy is used to pump protons into the thylakoid … and continues until it reaches capacity (it’s ready to burst!) • Diffusion sends the protons back out and upon exiting ATP is formed • The excited electrons continue to pass through more electron carriers until it attaches to NADP+ forming …. NADPH • Now we are powered up for stage 3!!
Stage 3: Building Carbohydrates • Plants capture the CO2 in the atmosphere • The carbon is then turned into organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins) • This takes place through the Calvin Cycle(which is run from the energy produced in stage 2) Unbalanced Balanced
Thought question: • You may have heard that if you want to help a plant grow you should talk to it. Why is that?