PHOTOSYNTHESIS

By: Teyas Chakraborty

Date: 25/07/2021
 Process of photosynthesis

• Mesophyll cells in the leaf are the principle centres of this activity. During
the day time, when light falls on the leaves the light energy is trapped by
the chlorophyll of the upper layer of the mesophyll, especially the
palisade cells.
• Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere enters the leaf by the diffusion
down a concentration gradient through the stomata.
• Water from the soil is taken up by the roots, sent up to the stem and finally
to the leaves where it gets distributed in the mesophyll tissue.
The chemical equation to represent this process is as follows:
Light energy
6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2
Chlorophyll
Phases of photosynthesis
1. Light dependent phase ( photo chemical phase)
- In this phase light plays the key role.
- Chemical reactions are initiated by light and therefore, the phase is called the photo chemical phase.
- The light reaction takes place in thylakoids of the chloroplast.
- The light reaction occurs in two steps:
Step 1: Activation of chlorophyll.
Step 2: Splitting of water.

This reaction is known as photolysis.

End results of the products of photolysis
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2. Light independent (dark) phase:
- Do not require light energy.
- Occurs simultaneously with the light reaction.
Several glucose molecule are transformed to produce one molecule of starch; this process is
called polymerisation.
Adaption in leaf to perform photosynthesis
• Large surface area.
• Leaf arrangement.
• Cuticle and upper epidermis.
• Numerous stomata.
• The thinness of leaves.
• The Chloroplasts.
• Extensive vein system.
End results of the product of photosynthesis
• Glucose
• Water
• Oxygen
Utilization of synthesised food and its
translocation.
• Food is manufactured in leaf, is required by all the other parts of the plant.
• The glucose formed in the leaf during photosynthesis cannot get transported to other parts of
the plant with same rapidity. So, it converts glucose into insoluble starch for temporary
storage in the leaf.
• At night, starch is reconverted into soluble sugar which is transported in solution through
the veins of the leaf and down through the phloem of the stem.
• In this way the it gets transported (translocated) to different part of the plant, where it may
be reconverted into starch for storage to produce energy for various functions in plants.
Factors affecting photosynthesis
• External factors:
- Light intensity
- Carbon dioxide concentration.
- Temperature
- Water Content
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• Internal factors:
 Chlorophyll: Nutritional deficiencies of minerals cause loss of chlorophyll, thus drop in
trapping solar energy.
 Protoplasm: Dehydration of protoplasm reduces the rate of photosynthesis. Similarly
accumulation of carbohydrates also reduces the rate of photosynthesis.
 Structure of leaf: Thickness of cuticle, distribution of stomata and the size of the leaf
influences the amount of light and the amount of carbon dioxide entering the leaf.
Experiments on photosynthesis
• To test leaf of starch:
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• To show that chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis:
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• To show that sunlight is necessary for photosynthesis:
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• To show that carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis:
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• To show oxygen is produced during photosynthesis:
Importance of photosynthesis:
• Provides food.
• Provides oxygen.
Carbon Cycle
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The carbon cycle is a series of chemical reaction in which carbon as a chemical element
(CO2) is removed from the air, used by the living organisms in their body processes and is
finally returned to air.
The essential steps of carbon cycle are as follows:
• Photosynthesis: Green plants use carbon dioxide of the air to produce carbohydrates.
• Food chains: The food passes on from plants to animals. Carbon is essential element of all
body tissues of both plants and animals.
• Respiration: All the plants and animals, respire by oxidising carbohydrates in their cells to
produce energy and give out carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
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• Decay: The dead remains of plants and animals are consumed by bacteria and fungi and in
the process they break down the organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide back into the
atmosphere.
• Combustion: When a fuel such as wood or fossil fuel is burnt, the carbon contained in it is
oxidised to carbon dioxide, which gives back into the atmosphere.
• Heating Limestones: A certain amount of carbon dioxide is released during heating or
burning of limestone in lime kilns.
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