Photosynthesis+and+climate+change+2010

Ryan Tanner Environmental Science A Period

Photosynthesis and Climate Change


 * What Is Photosynthesis? **

** Photosynthesis ** is the most important chemical process on Earth. It is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy, and only occurs in plants and certain types of algae. Plants are the only species that have ** chloroplasts **, the organelle required to start photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis sustains all green plants, and every other living thing as a result.

Basic Photosynthesis occurs when water, light energy, and carbon dioxide are present for the plants. In turn, the plants release oxygen for living species to breathe.


 * Where and How Does Photosynthesis Occur? **

The leaves are the primary place where photosynthesis occurs, as the stem does not have chloroplasts to start. To make sugar, plants need carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and light energy.

The Photosynthetic chemical reaction is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2. This makes the source of O2 that we breathe every day.

Photosynthesis occurs in 2 stages: Carbon Dioxide animals breathe out goes into the leaves through the stomata (tiny pores),and spread to the cells that contain chlorophyll. Sunlight is used to break down the water in the plant and create oxygen, which the plant then gives off. The hydrogen is then used with Carbon Dioxide to create food for the plant.
 * __Light Reactions__** - convert light into energy
 * __Dark Reactions__** - use energy and carbon dioxide to produce sugar
 * Photosynthesis** occurs first with the roots of a plant absorbing water, which is carried up to its leaves by the xylem. [[image:http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_b8o0_bDa4QI/SC08lr9_tsI/AAAAAAAAAJE/FNlztIrqAuI/s400/photosynthesis.gif width="366" height="521" align="right"]]

To the right is a more detailed look at Photosynthesis -

WATER + LIGHT + CHEMICAL ENERGY is needed to start.

Step 1) Chloroplasts trap light energy from the sun Step 2) Water enters the leaf from the roots Step 3) Carbon Dioxide enters the leaf from the stomata Step 4) Sugar leaves the leaf Photosynthesis is now complete!

The final reaction is: CHEMICAL ENERGY + CARBON DIOXIDE + SUGAR

How Does Photosynthesis Relate to Climate Change?

The total amount of sunlight being used by photosynthesis, is directly related to the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth. Also, Climate change would increase the concentration of Carbon Dioxide, which could increase the rate Photosynthesis would occur.

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