Ch. 4: Photosynthesis
Reading
BJU Biology: Ch. 4A "Cellular Energy" (continued)
AP Princeton Review: Ch. 6 Cellular Energetics
Summary
Lab options for illustrating photosynthesis (we will decide when we get here)
BJU Biology: Ch. 4A "Cellular Energy" (continued)
AP Princeton Review: Ch. 6 Cellular Energetics
Summary
- In this unit we learn about photosynthesis, which involves 1) photosystems I and II, 2) the electron transport chain, 3) the Calvin Cycle, and 4) the energy molecules ATP and NADPH
Lab options for illustrating photosynthesis (we will decide when we get here)
- Plants in a Bottle: Photosynthesis & Respiration - this one works well. I will provide the materials on the day of the lab.
- Experiments with photosynthesis using a Geranium plant
- Isolation of plant pigments from green and red leaves
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What are we learning here?
At this point in the course, we are beginning to see that every cell is really a complex factory, full of nano-machines, walking motor-proteins, and spinning turbo-generators - and that's what makes Biology and Biotechnology incredibly fascinating.
In our previous Unit, we covered animal cells:
In this Unit, we are talking about plant cells:
In photosynthesis, the plant captures photons of light on chlorophyll, which in turn converts the electromagnetic energy of light into electrical energy (just like an antenna and amplifier do), and then sends the electricity down the line on a series of protein transport molecules which also function as proton pumps, eventually reaching a rotating, proton-powered turbine called ATP Synthase, which charges-up new ATP energy molecules using a rotating camshaft - just like cellular respiration does. The newly-charged ATP energy molecules then power a complex chemical factory within the leaf - with the ATP functioning just like a battery - wherein the plant manufactures all its starch, cellulose, and other molecules from carbon (C) it obtains from atmospheric CO2. Putting it another way, the plant literally 'builds itself' from the CO2 contained in the atmosphere - using ATP batteries which have been charged by a rotary turbine, which is powered by a stream of protons, which were pumped using electricity, which was obtained from an antenna (chlorophyll molecule), which originally had captured a bit of sunlight. When you stand back and realize the beauty-of-design and complex engineering contained within that process, Biology starts to get very, very interesting.
At this point in the course, we are beginning to see that every cell is really a complex factory, full of nano-machines, walking motor-proteins, and spinning turbo-generators - and that's what makes Biology and Biotechnology incredibly fascinating.
In our previous Unit, we covered animal cells:
- Animal cells get their energy and raw-materials by breaking down glucose (blood sugar) in a process called cellular respiration.
- We are also learning in our Biofuels Lab that yeast and certain bacteria - although not in the animal kingdom - also perform step 1 of cellular respiration - leading to fermentation.
In this Unit, we are talking about plant cells:
- Plant cells get their energy and raw materials from sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in a process called photosynthesis.
- It's important to note that algae - although not in the plant kingdom - also carries out photosynthesis. The algae in the world's oceans actually produce most of the oxygen (O2) we breathe.
- It's also important to note that plants have mitochondria - in addition to having chloroplasts - and thus they carry-out cellular respiration as well as photosynthesis.
In photosynthesis, the plant captures photons of light on chlorophyll, which in turn converts the electromagnetic energy of light into electrical energy (just like an antenna and amplifier do), and then sends the electricity down the line on a series of protein transport molecules which also function as proton pumps, eventually reaching a rotating, proton-powered turbine called ATP Synthase, which charges-up new ATP energy molecules using a rotating camshaft - just like cellular respiration does. The newly-charged ATP energy molecules then power a complex chemical factory within the leaf - with the ATP functioning just like a battery - wherein the plant manufactures all its starch, cellulose, and other molecules from carbon (C) it obtains from atmospheric CO2. Putting it another way, the plant literally 'builds itself' from the CO2 contained in the atmosphere - using ATP batteries which have been charged by a rotary turbine, which is powered by a stream of protons, which were pumped using electricity, which was obtained from an antenna (chlorophyll molecule), which originally had captured a bit of sunlight. When you stand back and realize the beauty-of-design and complex engineering contained within that process, Biology starts to get very, very interesting.
| Photosynthesis lecture slides |
Video clips below: we will watch and discuss in class
Photosynthesis MCQ's (multiple choice questions)
Enter your answers directly in Canvas
Enter your answers directly in Canvas
| photosynthesis MCQ's handout_.docx |