PHOTOSYNTHESIS

WHY SHOULD WE STUDY THIS

PROCESS?
 What is Photosynthesis?
• 6H2O + 6CO2+ Light Energy ----> C6H12O6+ 6O2
• 6 molecules of water + 6 molecules of carbon
dioxide --->1 molecule of glucose + 6
molecules of oxygen
 So now what?
• arguably the most important biological
process on earth.
• photosynthesis helps control the makeup of
our atmosphere, understanding
photosynthesis is crucial to understanding
how carbon dioxide and other "greenhouse
gases" affect the global climate.
• Our quality of life, and indeed our very
existence, depends on photosynthesis
 Greenhouse Gases?
• water vapor
• carbon dioxide
• Ozone
• and methane

• Without these gases the average temperature

of the earth would be 30 Deg.C. lower than
present.
 Greenhouse gas ?
• BIG PROBLEM
• Human activity accelerates the natural natural
process by creating more greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere than are necessary to warm the planet
to an ideal temperature.
• Ultimately, more greenhouse gases means more
infrared radiation trapped and held, which gradually
increases the temperature of the Earth’s surface and
the air in the lower atmosphere.
(12.4e, 12.3d)
 Green house gas sources
• Burning natural gas, coal and oil —including gasoline for automobile engines—
raises the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Some farming practices and land-use changes increase the levels of methane and
nitrous oxide.
• Many factories produce long-lasting industrial gases that do not occur naturally,
yet contribute significantly to the enhanced greenhouse effect and “global
warming” that is currently under way.
• Deforestation also contributes to global warming. Trees use carbon dioxide and
give off oxygen in its place, which helps to create the optimal balance of gases in
the atmosphere. As more forests are logged for timber or cut down to make way
for farming, however, there are fewer trees to perform this critical function.
• Population growth is another factor in global warming, because as more people
use fossil fuels for heat, transportation and manufacturing the level of
greenhouse gases continues to increase. As more farming occurs to feed millions
of new people, more greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere.
 Next Lesson
• Making a greenhouse and measuring the
effects of temperature.

• George Czender 2009