Photosynthesis Research Papers
WHAT IS PHOTOSYNTHESIS? 3
Every day the total amount of energy that is captured through photosynthesis all across our planet is equal to approximately 135 terawatts. Now to put this number into perspective the entire human race consumes approximately 15 terawatts of energy daily. This means that there is 9 times more energy being absorbed every day through photosynthesis, as there is energy being consumed by all of mankind (Bridges 2008).
In order to fully understand photosynthesis, one must first know what photosynthesis is. Photosynthesis is a process in which organisms such as plants, algae, and bacteria use energy emitted from light and converts it into chemical energy which can be used to fuel the activities performed by these organisms and also to keep them alive (Bridges 2008).
In order for photosynthesis to exist there must first be light. Not just any light can be used for photosynthesis however. The light absorbed for photosynthesis, is light that can be seen in the visible spectrum which puts the usable light for photosynthesis at approximately 400-700 nanometers. This accounts for only about 45% the solar spectrum which means that more than half of the sun's energy cannot be used for obtaining energy via photosynthesis (Schneider 2011).
Not only must …show more content…
The Calvin cycle is made up of three key stages. The first stage is known as the carbon fixation stage. During this stage a carbon dioxide molecule ribulose 1, 5 bisphosphate (RuBP). This step creates a six-carbon compound that splits into two different molecules of a three carbon compound, 3 phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA). The reaction is initiated by the enzyme RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase, or rubisco (Stanley 2013). The second stage of the Calvin cycle is known as the reduction stage. In this stage ATP and NADH are used to change the 3-PGA molecules into molecules of a tri carbon molecule known
Every day the total amount of energy that is captured through photosynthesis all across our planet is equal to approximately 135 terawatts. Now to put this number into perspective the entire human race consumes approximately 15 terawatts of energy daily. This means that there is 9 times more energy being absorbed every day through photosynthesis, as there is energy being consumed by all of mankind (Bridges 2008).
In order to fully understand photosynthesis, one must first know what photosynthesis is. Photosynthesis is a process in which organisms such as plants, algae, and bacteria use energy emitted from light and converts it into chemical energy which can be used to fuel the activities performed by these organisms and also to keep them alive (Bridges 2008).
In order for photosynthesis to exist there must first be light. Not just any light can be used for photosynthesis however. The light absorbed for photosynthesis, is light that can be seen in the visible spectrum which puts the usable light for photosynthesis at approximately 400-700 nanometers. This accounts for only about 45% the solar spectrum which means that more than half of the sun's energy cannot be used for obtaining energy via photosynthesis (Schneider 2011).
Not only must …show more content…
The Calvin cycle is made up of three key stages. The first stage is known as the carbon fixation stage. During this stage a carbon dioxide molecule ribulose 1, 5 bisphosphate (RuBP). This step creates a six-carbon compound that splits into two different molecules of a three carbon compound, 3 phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA). The reaction is initiated by the enzyme RuBP carboxylase/oxygenase, or rubisco (Stanley 2013). The second stage of the Calvin cycle is known as the reduction stage. In this stage ATP and NADH are used to change the 3-PGA molecules into molecules of a tri carbon molecule known