Charisse Alyson C.

Escudero, 11-STEM-Electra

General Biology Week 2

ACTIVITY # 1:
Part 1: Provide the best answer(s) for each question.
1. What are the two kinds of reactions in photosynthesis?
Light reactions and dark reactions (Calvin Cycle).
2. What are the basic stages of the Calvin cycle?

There are three stages to the Calvin cycle: (1) Carbon fixation, (2)
Reduction, and (3) Regeneration of RuBP from G3P.
3. What are the reactants and products of photosynthesis?
The photosynthesis chemical equation states that the reactants
(carbon dioxide, water and sunlight), yield two products, glucose and
oxygen gas.
Charisse Alyson C. Escudero, 11-STEM-Electra

Part 2: Copy and fill-in the table for the major events and features of
photosynthesis. The option table is given for you to answer the needed
materials and end products of photosynthesis.

Major Events and Features of Photosynthesis

Reaction Series Needed Materials End Products

1. Light-dependent reactions (take place in the thylakoid membrane)

a. Photochemical c. Light energy; a. Electrons

reactions pigments
(chlorophyll)

b. Electron transport e. Electrons, NADP+, b. NADPH, O2

H2O, electron
acceptors

c. Chemiosmosis f. Proton gradient, d. ATP

ADP + P, ATP
synthase

Reaction Series Needed Materials End Products

2. Carbon fixation h. Ribulose g. Carbohydrates,

reactions (take place bisphosphate, CO2, ADP + P, NADP+
in stroma) ATP, NADPH,
necessary enzymes
Charisse Alyson C. Escudero, 11-STEM-Electra

Part 3: Provide the best answer(s) for each question.

1. Temperature and light intensity are two of the factors that may
affect the rate of photosynthesis. Explain how the said factors affect
photosynthesis. Which of the two would you expect to have more
effect on the rate at which the Calvin Cycle proceeds? Why?
Temperature speeds up all chemical reactions - photosynthesis is no
exception. Although when it's too hot (above 40°C) or too cold,
photosynthesis gets slower. As light intensity increases, the rate of
photosynthesis will also increase as long as other factors are in
sufficient supply. I think that temperature has more influence on the
rate at which the Calvin Cycle proceeds because this stage is not
dependent on light intensity.
2. Many urban areas in our country are becoming less eco-friendly in
exchange for new buildings and commercialization. What do you
think is the implication of this in relation to photosynthesis?
Urbanization releases a great amount of greenhouse gases from
usage of fossil fuels. The high amounts of carbon dioxide can throw
off the balance in the environment and overwhelm the process of
photosynthesis. A small increase in the temperature of our climate
could entail a catastrophic imbalance in the ecosystem, and it is
currently happening around us. We should be mindful and be
responsible enough to not abuse the environment, or else we shall
pay a hefty price.
3. With your knowledge on photosynthesis, correlate the process in
helping curb the effects of climate change.
Climate change is caused by greenhouse gases such as carbon
dioxide. The simplest equation for photosynthesis is: Carbon dioxide
+ water -----(in light, with chlorophyll and enzymes)----> sugar +
oxygen. Meaning to say, plants can convert the carbon dioxide into
oxygen, which reduces the strain on our atmosphere and helps in
fighting climate change. We should plant more trees around the
community and prevent deforestation at all costs.