An Overview of Photosynthesis and Chloroplast Structure

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
(How do the light dependent and light independent reactions provide food for a plant?)

Why?
How important are plants to life on Earth? Could life as we know it continue if there were no plants? Read on the find out why plants are truly the cornerstone of life.

Model 1:
An Overview of Photosynthesis and Chloroplast Structure
6CO2 + 6H2O

C6H12O6 + 6O2

Site of the Calvin cycle, or light independent reactions
6 H 2O +
6 CO2
Contains chlorophyll. This is the site of the light dependent reactions

6 O2
Glucose (C6H12O6) moved to the leaf for transport

1. Which part of the chloroplast contains chlorophyll?
2. Where does the CO2 go?
3. Where is the energy from the sunlight used?
4. Name this process that uses the energy from the sunlight.
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Photosynthesis BAPvM2

1

5. Could this process take place in the dark? Use complete sentences to justify your answer.

6. Where does the Calvin cycle take place?
7. What is another name for the Calvin cycle?
8. Is light necessary for this cycle to occur? Use complete sentences to justify your answer.

9. What essential biological molecules does photosynthesis produce?
10. Why is it necessary to have six CO2 entering the chloroplast?

Model 2: The Light Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis
 

  

 



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HSPI – The POGIL Project
Limited Use by Permission Only – Not for Distribution
Photosynthesis BAPvM2

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11. Is CO2 involved in the light dependent reactions?
12. What has happened to the water in the diagram, and what three things are produced?

13. What pigment absorbs the light energy and how is it represented in this model?
14. What is the source of the electrons (e-) that enter P680?
15. What molecule ultimately takes up the electrons that leave