8.1 summary

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and other producers convert the energy of the sunlight into the energy stored in organic molecules. Cellular respiration occurs in a chloroplast that contains an inner membrane filled with Thylakoids within a thick fluid called Stroma. The two main stages of Photosynthesis are the light reactions followed by the calvin cycle. The light reaction converts sunlight to chemical energy, its chlorophylls capture sunlight and the chloroplasts separate electrons from water molecules, electrons and hydrogen ions make NADPH, which generate ATP from sunlight. The Calvin cycle produces sugars from the atoms in carbon dioxide including hydrogen ions and high energy electrons.

Chloroplast-A structure in cells where photosynthesis takes place
Chlorophyll-chemical compounds in Chloroplasts that give organelles its green colour
Stroma-Thick fluid that encloses the inner membrane Thylakoid-Disk shaped sacs suspended in the stroma in the inner membrane Light reactions-Conversion of sunlight into chemical energy
Calvin Cycle-creation of sugar from the atoms in carbon dioxide including hydrogen ions and high energy electrons.

Concept Check
1. Image from: http://kybiologywonderland.blogspot.com/

2. The reactants for photosynthesis are CO2 and H2O and the products are glucose and O2.

3.The two main stages of photosynthesis are Light reactions and Calvin Cycle, the light reactions supply the Calvin Cycle with energy then Calvin Cycle supplies them back with carriers that collect ATP energy and electrons.