Photosynthesis & Respiration

What is Photosynthesis?

• It is the most important

chemical reaction on our planet.

• Process plants use to make their own food

Definition - Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy (sunlight) to chemical energy and storing it in sugar or glucose.

What Happens?

• Plants’ leaves contain chlorophyll• Chlorophyll (green color) makes photosynthesis

possible• Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through holes called stomata • CO2 combines with the stored energy in the chloroplasts

through a chemical reaction to make glucose• The sugar is moved through tubes in the leaf to the roots,

stems and fruits of the plants• Some of the sugar is used right away by the plant for energy;

some is stored as starch; and some is built into plant tissue

What happens during photosynthesis?

The chlorophyll (found in chloroplast) absorbs the sunlight.

In Detail, please…

The sunlight is combined with water, Carbon Dioxide and nutrients from the soil.

CO2

The chlorophyll processes the ingredients and makes sugarsugar (plant food) and oxygen.

O2

What is the equation for the chemical reaction of

photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide reacts with water to form glucose and oxygen.

6CO2 + 6H20 C6H12O6 + 6O2

Why is this important to us?

The oxygen released during photosynthesis is necessary for all living things.

What is Cellular Respiration?

• A chemical process by which cells produce energy from food.

• Takes place in all living things.

• Occurs in the Mitochondria of the cell (Energy Powerhouse).

Describe Cellular Respiration• The food we eat (or plants eat) is

broken down into CO2 and H20 and energy is released.

• The CO2 is exhaled when we breathe and the H20 produced helps to maintain body temperature when we sweat.

• In addition to CO2 and H20, Cellular Respiration also forms ATP which supplies energy that fuels cell activities.

How are Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration related?

• During photosynthesis, cells take in CO2 and release O2.

• During cellular respiration, cells use O2 to break down glucose (sugar/food) and release energy and CO2 .