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Passage 3 - CATCH-UP

Photosynthesis is a complex process that occurs in chloroplasts and allows plants to produce their own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. It involves two main stages - light-dependent reactions where light is absorbed and used to split water, producing oxygen and ATP. The light-independent Calvin cycle then incorporates carbon dioxide into organic molecules like sugars using the ATP.

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CRISTAN ALONZO
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25 views

Passage 3 - CATCH-UP

Photosynthesis is a complex process that occurs in chloroplasts and allows plants to produce their own food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. It involves two main stages - light-dependent reactions where light is absorbed and used to split water, producing oxygen and ATP. The light-independent Calvin cycle then incorporates carbon dioxide into organic molecules like sugars using the ATP.

Uploaded by

CRISTAN ALONZO
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Passage 3: Photosynthesis: How Plants Make Food

Photosynthesis is a complex biochemical process that occurs in the chloroplasts


of plant cells. It is the primary mechanism through which plants produce their
own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
The process of photosynthesis can be divided into two main stages: the light-
dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle). In the
light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, a green
pigment in chloroplasts, and is used to split water molecules into oxygen,
protons, and electrons. The released oxygen is a byproduct of this stage.
Simultaneously, the energy-rich electrons are transferred along a series of
proteins, creating a flow of protons across the thylakoid membrane. This flow is
harnessed to generate the molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a key energy
carrier.
In the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle), carbon dioxide is incorporated
into organic molecules. The ATP produced in the light-dependent reactions
provides the necessary energy for this process. Through a series of chemical
reactions, carbon dioxide is fixed into sugars, which serve as the primary source
of energy for plant growth and development. The Calvin cycle regenerates
molecules needed for further carbon fixation.
Photosynthesis is a vital biological process that not only sustains plant life but
also plays a crucial role in global carbon cycling, as it contributes to the
production of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Comprehension Questions:
What is photosynthesis, and where does it occur in plant cells?
Describe the two main stages of photosynthesis.
How does chlorophyll contribute to the light-dependent reactions?
Explain the role of the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis.
Why is photosynthesis essential for the survival of plants and its impact
on the environment?

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