Where is photosynthesis used

Science has a pretty good handle on these relationships, too. Michigan residents might do well to place a bit more weight on these service benefits of trees, forests, and forest management. This article was published by Michigan State University Extension.

The important role of photosynthesis. But this is enough chemistry. Did you find this article useful? Please tell us why Submit. Apply Today. Hint: it's not what you think! Related Content. Search Search. During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide CO 2 and water H 2 O from the air and soil.

Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while the carbon dioxide is reduced, meaning it gains electrons. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy within the glucose molecules. Inside the plant cell are small organelles called chloroplasts, which store the energy of sunlight.

Within the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast is a light-absorbing pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving the plant its green color. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs energy from blue- and red-light waves, and reflects green-light waves, making the plant appear green.

While there are many steps behind the process of photosynthesis, it can be broken down into two major stages: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions.

The light-dependent reaction takes place within the thylakoid membrane and requires a steady stream of sunlight, hence the name light- dependent reaction. The light-independent stage, also known as the Calvin Cycle , takes place in the stroma , the space between the thylakoid membranes and the chloroplast membranes, and does not require light, hence the name light- independent reaction.

C3 and C4 photosynthesis. Not all forms of photosynthesis are created equal, however. There are different types of photosynthesis, including C3 photosynthesis and C4 photosynthesis. C3 photosynthesis is used by the majority of plants. It involves producing a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglyceric acid during the Calvin Cycle, which goes on to become glucose. C4 photosynthesis, on the other hand, produces a four-carbon intermediate compound, which splits into carbon dioxide and a three-carbon compound during the Calvin Cycle.

A benefit of C4 photosynthesis is that by producing higher levels of carbon, it allows plants to thrive in environments without much light or water. Light-dependent reactions also called light reactions : When a photon of light hits the reaction center, a pigment molecule such as chlorophyll releases an electron.

The released electron manages to escape by traveling through an electron transport chain , which generates the energy needed to produce ATP adenosine triphosphate, a source of chemical energy for cells and NADPH.

The "electron hole" in the original chlorophyll pigment is filled by taking an electron from water. As a result, oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Light-independent reactions also called dark reactions and known as the Calvin cycle : Light reactions produce ATP and NADPH, which are the rich energy sources that drive dark reactions.

Three chemical reaction steps make up the Calvin cycle: carbon fixation, reduction and regeneration. These reactions use water and catalysts. These sugars are then used to make glucose or are recycled to initiate the Calvin cycle again. Photosynthetic organisms are a possible means to generate clean-burning fuels such as hydrogen or even methane.

Recently, a research group at the University of Turku in Finland, tapped into the ability of green algae to produce hydrogen. Scientists have also made advances in the field of artificial photosynthesis. For instance, a group of researchers from the University of California, Berkeley, developed an artificial system to capture carbon dioxide using nanowires, or wires that are a few billionths of a meter in diameter. The wires feed into a system of microbes that reduce carbon dioxide into fuels or polymers by using energy from sunlight.

The team published its design in in the journal Nano Letters. In , members of this same group published a study in the journal Science that described another artificial photosynthetic system in which specially engineered bacteria were used to create liquid fuels using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. An article on chemical equation notation from cK Leaf Structures. Photosynthesis Reactions. When you select "Subscribe" you will start receiving our email newsletter.

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Learn Site. Photosynthesis: Reactants and Products. Photosynthesis is the process plants use to make their own food. The reactants of photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water.