Plants make their own food thru the process of photosynthesis Photosynthesis, Respiration, Transpiration Plants are self-sufficient. They make their own food thru the process of photosynthesis using light energy to make sugars from carbon dioxide (C02) and water (H20). The three major functions that are basic to plant growth and development are: � Photosynthesis � the process of capturing light energy and converting it to sugar energy, in the presence of chlorophyll using CO2 and H2O, � Respiration � the process of metabolizing (burning) sugars to yield energy for growth, reproduction and other life processes, and � Transpiration � the loss of water vapor through the stomata of leaves. Photosynthesis A primary difference between plants and animals is the plant�s ability to manufacture its own food. In photosynthesis carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil react with the sun�s energy to form carbohydrates (sugars and starches). Photosynthesis literally means to put together with light. The photosynthetic process occurs only in the chloroplasts, tiny subcellular structures contained in the cells of leaves and green stems.

In photosynthesis, the sun�s energy combines hydrogen from water (H20) with carbon dioxide (CO2) turning them into carbohydrates. Oxygen (O2) is given off as a by-product of photosynthesis. The chemical equation for the process of photosynthesis is: 6CO2 + 6H20 + light C6H12O6 + 6O2 This process is directly dependent on the supply of water, light and carbon dioxide. Any one of the factors on the left side of the equation (carbon dioxide, water, or light) can limit photosynthesis regardless of the availability of the other factors. If any one of these factors is limiting, then the whole process slows down or stops. An implication of drought or severe restrictions on landscape irrigation is a reduction in photosynthesis and thus a decrease in plant vigor. In a tightly closed greenhouse there can be very little fresh air infiltration and CO2 levels can become limiting. This in turn limits plant growth because the production of sugars needed to do the work involved with growing is limited. Many greenhouses provide supplemental CO2 to stimulate plant growth. The rate of photosynthesis is somewhat temperature dependent.

For example, with tomatoes, when temperatures rise above 96 degrees Fahrenheit the rate of food used by respiration rises above the rate that food is manufactured by photosynthesis. Plant growth comes to a stop and produce loses its sweetness. Respiration In respiration, plants (and animals) convert the sugars back into energy for growth and to energize life processes (metabolic processes). The chemical equation for respiration shows that the sugars from photosynthesis are combined with oxygen. Notice that the equation for respiration is the opposite of photosynthesis. C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H20 + energy Chemically speaking, the process is similar to the oxidation that occurs as wood is burned, producing heat. When compounds combine with oxygen, the process is often referred to as burning. For example, athlete�s burn energy (sugars) as they exercise. The harder they exercise, the more sugars they burn so the more oxygen they need. That�s why at full speed, they are breathing very fast. Athletes take up oxygen through their lungs. Plants take up oxygen through the stomata in their leaves and through their roots.

Again, respiration is the burning of sugars for energy to grow and do the internal work of living. It is very important to understand that both plants and animals (including microorganisms) need oxygen for respiration. This is why overly wet or saturated soils are detrimental to both root growth and function, and the decomposition processes carried out by microorganisms in the soil. The same principles regarding limiting factors are valid for both photosynthesis and respiration. Table 1. Carbon And Plant Growth – How Do Plants Take In Carbon Image by p.Gordon By Amy Grant Before we tackle the question of, “How do plants take in carbon?” we must first learn what carbon is and what the source of carbon in plants is. Keep reading to learn more. What is Carbon? All living things are carbon based. Carbon atoms bond with other atoms to form chains such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, which in turn provides other living things with nourishment. The role then of carbon in plants is called the carbon cycle. How Do Plants Use Carbon? Plants use carbon dioxide during photosynthesis , the process whereby the plant converts the energy from the sun into a chemical carbohydrate molecule. Plants use this carbon chemical to grow.

Once the plant’s life cycle is over and it decomposes, carbon dioxide is formed again to return to the atmosphere and begin the cycle anew. Carbon and Plant Growth As mentioned, plants take in carbon dioxide and convert it to energy for growth. When the plant dies, carbon dioxide is given off from the decomposition of the plant. The role of carbon in plants is to foster healthier and more productive growth of the plants. Adding organic matter, such as manure or decomposing plant parts (rich in carbon – or the browns in compost ), to the soil surrounding growing plants basically fertilizes them, feeding and nourishing the plants and making them vigorous and lush. Carbon and plant growth are then intrinsically linked. What is the Source of Carbon in Plants? Some of this source of carbon in plants is used to create healthier specimens and some is converted into carbon dioxide and released into the atmosphere, but some of the carbon is locked into the soil. This stored carbon helps to combat global warming by binding to minerals or remaining in organic forms that will slowly break down over time, aiding in the reduction of atmospheric carbon.

Global warming is the result of the carbon cycle being out of sync due to the burning of coal, oil and natural gas in large quantities and the resulting vast amounts of gas released from the ancient carbon stored in the ground for millennia. Amending soil with organic carbon not only facilitates healthier plant life, but it also drains well, prevents water pollution, is beneficial to useful microbes and insects and eliminates the need for using synthetic fertilizers , which are derived from fossil fuels. Our dependency upon those very fossil fuels is what got us into this mess in the first place and utilizing organic gardening techniques is one way to combat the global warming debacle. Whether carbon dioxide from the air or organic carbon in soil, the role of carbon and plant growth is extremely valuable; in point of fact, without this process, life as we know it would not exist. What Is the Process Plants Use to Create Carbohydrates? | Home Guides | SF Gate What Is the Process Plants Use to Create Carbohydrates? What Is the Process Plants Use to Create Carbohydrates? Choloplasts are only in green plant structures and conduct photosynthesis. Green plants create carbohydrates on their own through the process of photosynthesis. These carbohydrates are the plant's source of fuel for growth.

If even one basic ingredient a plant needs for photosynthesis is absent or lacking, the plant's health can suffer, resulting in stunted growth or reduced production. The gardener who provides the amounts of water and light the plant requires for this food production is rewarded by a healthy plant. Leaves That Breathe People breathe oxygen in and carbon dioxide out, but for a plant to make carbohydrates, the leaves take in carbon dioxide through the stomata on the leaf surfaces. From the stomata, the mesophyll cells use the carbon dioxide to combine it with water and light for photosynthesis. After the plant uses the carbon dioxide in photosynthesis, the waste product is oxygen, which is released through the stomata on the leaves. Water Transport Part of photosynthesis involves moving water from the roots to the leaves. Water flows through xylem, which are like pipes that bring water to the leaves. For the water to move against gravity up the plant from the roots, the plant relies on transpiration, which is the evaporation of the water through the stomata on the leaves. This process uses up to 90 percent of a plant's water, which leaves less than 10 percent for photosynthesis and growth.

Sunlight in Photosynthesis Sunlight is a critical part of photosynthesis because it provides the plant with energy. Once the leaves absorb sunlight, the energy is used to break the bonds that hold together the hydrogen and oxygen in the water molecules.The electrons released from breaking these bonds are sent into a cellular process, called the electron transport chain. This system forms ATP, which is a type of energy molecule the cell requires to piece together the hydrogen from the water and the carbon and oxygen from the carbon dioxide to produce glucose. Photosynthesis Creates Carbohydrates Photosynthesis requires sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose. This simple sugar is a carbohydrate that combines with other sugars to form the plant's structure and stores energy for future use. Glucose produced from photosynthesis flows to the rest of the plant through phloem, which are small tubes that run throughout the plant. The plant stores the surplus carbohydrates in the crown and roots, where they will stay until the plant needs them during dark hours or during the winter when deciduous trees lack leaves to produce more food through photosynthesis. Plants Use Carbohydrates Aside from using complex carbohydrates to create the plant's structure, plants store carbohydrates or use them for energy to grow.

To use stored carbohydrates, plants take the glucose formed during photosynthesis and combine the carbohydrate with oxygen -- a process called respiration -- to release energy. Unlike photosynthesis, which only takes place in green parts of the plant, respiration occurs in all living tissues, including underground roots. Photosynthesis "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." -- Albert Einstein Photosynthesis An Understandable (Not Necessarily Easy) Approach... Pinus palustris -- Pearson Creek (it will take some time to understand this; read deliberately and understand what you have read before going on to the next paragraphs) Photosynthesis is defined as the formation of carbohydrates in living plants from water and carbon dioxide (CO2). It is the most important chemical pathway (series of chemical reactions) on our planet. Almost all of the biomass on Earth was initially created by photosynthesis. Each year 100 quadrillion (or 10 to the 17th) Kilocalories (K.cal.) of useful energy are produced by photosynthesis (about 100 times more energy than is consumed by burning of fossil fuels).

At least half of the photosynthesis in the world takes place in oceans, lakes and rivers, brought about by many different microorganisms that constitute the phytoplankton. All organisms on Earth can be classified on the basis of two fundamental physiologic requirements: (A) Energy source: (1) use sunlight for energy: Phototrophs. (2) use chemical compounds for energy : Chemotrophs (B) Carbon source: (1) source is CO2: Autotrophs. (2) source is chemical compounds: Heterotrophs Chemoautotrophs (use chemical compounds for energy and CO2 for carbon) -- bacteria (some) Chemoheterotrophs (use chemical compounds for both energy and carbon) -- animals Photoaututrophs (use sunlight for energy and CO2 for carbon) -- plants and photosynthetic bacteria Photoaututrophs utilize sunlight for energy and CO2 for their carbon source by this process of PHOTOSYNTHESIS whereby sunlight is absorbed by a complex compound known as chlorophyll and converted to energy which drives a series of chemical reactions that ultimately removes hydrogen from water or other compounds and then combines the hydrogen with carbon dioxide in a way that produces sugars.

Photosynthetic organisms can be divided into two classes: those which produce oxygen and those which do not. Photosynthetic bacteria do not produce oxygen (in fact some of them called anaerobes cannot tolerate oxygen) and this is considered a more primitive type of photosynthesis (in which the hydrogen donor is hydrogen sulfide, lactate or other compounds, but not water). Plants and one type of bacteria (cyanobacteria) do produce oxygen, an evolutionarily more advanced type of photosynthesis (in which the hydrogen donor is water). In a broad chemical sense, the opposite of photosynthesis is respiration. Most of life on this planet (all except in the deep sea vents) depends on the reciprocal photosynthesis-driven production of carbon containing compounds by a series of reducing (adding electrons) chemical reactions carried out by plants and then the opposite process of oxidative (removing electrons) chemical reactions by animals (and plants, which are capable of both photosynthesis and respiration) in which these carbon compounds are broken down to carbon dioxide and water.

The oxidative chemical reactions of respiration release energy, some of which is heat and some of it is captured in the form of high energy compunds such as Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and Nicotinamide adenide dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). These compounds have a high energy (unstable) terminal phosphate bond and that terminal phosphate is easily detached with the transfer of the energy to drive chemical reactions in the synthesis of other biomolecules. In this case, the ATP loses one phosphate to become the energy-depleted ADP (Adenosine diphosphate) and the NADPH loses one electron to become energy-depleted NADP+. Photosynthesis converts these energy- depleted compounds (ADP and NADP+) back to the high energy forms (ATP and NADPH) and the energy thus produced in this chemical form is utilized to drive the chemical reactions necessary for synthesis of sugars and other carbon containing compounds (e.g., proteins, fats). The production of high energy ATP and NADPH in plants occurs in what is known as Light Phase Reactions (Z Scheme) (requires sunlight).

The energy releasing reactions which converts them back to energy-depleted ADP and NADP is known as Dark Phase Reactions (Calvin Cycle) (does not require light) in which the synthesis of glucose and other carbohydrates occurs. So we can summarize by saying that the photosynthetic plants trap solar energy to form ATP and NADPH (Light Phase) and then use these as the energy source to make carbohydrates and other biomolecules from carbon dioxide and water (Dark Phase), simultaneously releasing oxygen in to the atmosphere. The chemoheterotrophic animals reverse this process by using the oxygen to degrade the energy-rich organic products of photosynthesis to CO2 and water in order to generate ATP for their own synthesis of biomolecules. Plant photosynthesis, both the Light Phase and Dark phase reactions, takes place in chloroplasts, which may be regarded as the "power plants" of the green leaf cells. At night, when there is no sunlight energy, ATP continues to be generated for the plant's needs by respiration, i.e., oxidation of (photosynthetically produced) carbohydrate in mitochondria (similar to animals).

Chloroplasts have many shapes in different species but are generally fusiform shaped (and much larger than mitochondria) and have many flattened membrane-surrounded vesicles called thylakoids which are arranged in stacks called grana. These thylakoid membranes contain all of the photosynthetic pigments of the chloroplast and all of the enzymes required for Light Phase reactions. The fluid in the stroma surrounding the thylakoid vesicles contains most of the enzymes for Dark phase reactions. There are several light-absorbing pigments in the thylakoid membranes. The most important are the green chlorophylls which are complex protoporphyrin (resembles hemoglobin) molecules which have a magnesiun ion in the center. There are two types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a, which is always present in all green plants, and a second, chlorophyll b which is also present (about half as much as chlorophyll a) in some plants. The chlorophylls are the major light receptors, absorbing light mostly in the 400 to 500 and 600 to 700 nanometer (nm.)wavelength ranges.

The absorption spectra for chlorphylls a and b are shown below. Other pigmented compounds present in the thylakoid membranes include carotenoids (are red, yellow or purple), the most important of which is beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A in animals. The carotenoid pigments absorb sunlight at wavelengths other than those absorbed by the chlorophylls and thus are supplementary light receptors. The thylakoid membranes of plant chloroplasts have two different sets of light harvesting chlorophyll and carotenoid molecules combined with a special protein. There are two of these Photochemical Reaction Centers: Photosystem I : has a high ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b. Photosystem II : has relatively more chlorophyll b and may also contain a chlorophyll c. The plants and cyanobacteria (which use water as a hydrogen donor and produce oxygen) have Photosystems I and II, whereas the less highly evolved other photosynthetic bacteria(which do not use water as their hydgrogen donor and do not produce oxygen) have only Photosystem I.

How does the absorption of light by the chlorophyll pigments in the thylakoid membrane cause the conversion of light energy to chemical (ATP & NADHP) energy? The quick answer is that an electron is stripped from water and transferred to NADP+ to form NADPH which is an endergonic (requires energy imput) reaction.That energy is supplied by the sunlight absorbed in the chloroplasts. And in the process, a phosphorus is added to ADP to produce ATP. When the chlorophyll molecule is excited by light, the energy level of an electron in its structure is "boosted to a higher energy level and this "excited" chlorophyll (now is called an exciton) moves rapidly the the reaction center of the Photosystem I where it transfers its extra energy to an electron which is then expelled from the reaction center and is accepted by the first member of a chain of electron carriers and ultimately reaches NADP+, reducing it to NADPH. The reaction center has lost an electron and this "electron hole" is filled by by stripping electrons from water which leaves hydrogen ion (H+) and molecular oxygen (O2).

The pathway of electrons from water to NADP+ has "Z" shape when diagramed and is refered to as the Z Scheme. The Z Scheme diagram shows the pathway of an electron from water (lower right) to NADP+ (upper left). It also shows the energy relationships which are measured as voltage potential shown on the scaleon the right. To raise the energy of the electrons derived from water (+0.82 volts) to the level necessary to reduce NADP+ to NADPH (-0.32 volts), each electron must be boosted twice (vertical red arrows) by light energy absorbed in Photosystems I and II. After each boosting , the energized electrons flow "downhill" (diagonal black lines) and in the process transfer some of their energy to a series of reactions which ultimately adds a phosporus to ADP to produce high energy ATP and reduces NADP+ to NADPH. There is an alternative shunt whereby the electron flow turns back to cytochrome b563 (green line)and this is called cyclic electron flow and it occurs when there is no need for NADPH, so only ATP is produced. How are the electrons lost from Photocenters replaced?

The "electron hole" in Photosystem I is filled by the electron which was expelled by sunlight energy from Photosytem II and travels to Photosystem I via the chain of electron carriers (the right red vertical and right black diagonal lines). Then the resulting "electron hole" in Photosystem II is in turn filled by the splitting of water (by an enzyme named water dehydrogenase) into electrons and H+ ions and molecular oxygen. The electrons go to Photosystem II "electron holes" and the H+s go into the fluid medium and the oxygen is released into the air. For each electron flowing from water to NADP+ (a net change in 1.14 volts), two quanta of light are absorbed, one by each Photosystem. Each molecule of oxygen released involves the flow of four electrons from two water molecules to two NADP+s and requires four quanta of sunlight absorbed by each Photosystem to provide the energy to do this. These are the "Light Phase Reactions" of photosynthesis, which produce two high energy chemical products, namely NADPH and ATP. Now what are the "Dark Phase Reactions" (aka Calvin Cycle)? This is the cycle that converts CO2 into glucose.

Since it utilizes the chemical energy in the ATP and NADPH, it does not require sunlight (hence the name). It is a complex cycle of mostly phosphorylation (adding or removing phosphate) and oxidative (electron removal) chemical reactions whereby 6 molecules of CO2 are converted into one molecule of glucose. It requires the energy-releasing cleavage of high energy bonds of 18 ATPs and 12 NADPHs . The resulting 18 ADPs and 12 NADP+s are then restored by the Light Phase process to their high energy forms (ATP and NADPH). Therefor these two (Light and Dark) phases are interlinked and complimentary. And in the end, the plants have utilized the energy of sunlight to produce glucose (and ultimately other carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and oxygen from water and carbon dioxide. 1A: Trees - The Carbon Storage Experts!

If the video does not load, you can view the video at this link Magnificent Giant Tree: Sequoia in a Snowstorm - YouTube Discuss With a partner, write down ideas of where you think the mass of the Giant Sequoia tree comes from as it grows and then create a class list of all possible ideas: What ideas about the source of the tree's mass are you more confident about? Why? Hint: Remember that mass is a measurement of matter, and matter is made of atoms. Next, watch Derek Muller of Veritasium ask people where they think a tree's mass comes from. As you watch, make note of the hypotheses suggested by people being interviewed and be prepared to compare your notes with the class. Trees, like all organisms, grow by adding mass (biomass) is the mass of living or once living material. . Carbon is the central ingredient in making that new biomass. Tree biomass is comprised of all parts of the tree; leaves, stems, branches, roots, tree trunks.

The biomass of the woody tissue in the tree pictured on the right is made mostly of cellulose a long, fibrous carbohydrate (C6H12O6)n made by plants; wood and bark are made primarily out of cellulose. , a carbon compound. In a process called carbon fixation process by which photosynthetic organisms such as plants and algae turn inorganic carbon compounds (usually carbon dioxide) into organic carbon compounds (usually carbohydrate sugars). , plants transform CO2, an inorganic carbon compound a carbon compound that does not contain both carbon and hydrogen and tends to be simpler than organic compounds. Examples would include carbon dioxide (CO2) and carbonates (CaCO3). into organic carbon compounds contain carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen atoms and possibly other elements such as nitrogen or phosphorous; examples include proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and fats, oils and waxes. . Plants use organic carbon compounds for energy, growth and metabolism. Examine the images of glucose and cellulose pictured below. Then, answer the checking in questions below. NOTE: Carbon atoms are grey, hydrogen atoms are white and oxygen atoms are red. Click on the images for a larger view.

× A glucose sugar molecule produced by plants and algae via the process of photosynthesis. Provenance: candace dunlap Reuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license. × A cellulose molecule. Cellulose is a carbohydrate produced by plants and comprises most of the woody tissue biomass in plants. Provenance: candace dunlap Reuse: This item is offered under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license You may reuse this item for non-commercial purposes as long as you provide attribution and offer any derivative works under a similar license. Checking In Where do you think the carbon atoms in the glucose molecule originally came from? Choose all that apply. Soil Carbon dioxide molecules Air Where do you think the carbon atoms in the cellulose molecule originally came from? Choose all that apply.

Soil Air Carbon atoms cycle throughout the Geosphere and Biosphere as part of millions of different types of carbon compounds × Hide The geosphere and the biosphere are the two components of the Earth System; the geosphere is the collective name for the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, the cryosphere, and the atmosphere. All parts of the Earth System interact and are interrelated through climatic processes and through the water cycle and biogeochemical cycles. The Sun is the dominant source of all external energy to the Earth System. Diagram designed by James A. Tomberlin, USGS. Provenance: USGS Reuse: This item is in the public domain and maybe reused freely without restriction. Carbon atoms are continually on the move, cycling into and out of different components of the Biosphere and Geosphere. Carbon atoms do not cycle as single atoms but instead move as part of carbon compounds. Changing from one type of carbon compound to another as carbon cycles and is stored is a key feature of the carbon cycle. You will learn more about carbon compound transformations in Lab 1C.

The amount of CO2 trees absorb from air influences climate Biosynthesis refers to the production of new organic carbon compounds by a living organism; simple carbon compounds can be modified, converted into other new carbon compounds or used to build large, complex macromolecules such as proteins and DNA. is the key carbon cycle process that generates gains in biomass. Net primary production (NPP) the difference between the amount of carbon taken in via photosynthesis and the amount of carbon released via cell respiration. is a measure of the amount of carbon stored mostly as biomass. If the carbon input from photosynthesis is greater that the carbon output from respiration, trees will biosynthesize more biomass resulting in greater carbon storage. Measures of NPP will be higher. Conversely, if the carbon output of respiration is greater than the carbon input of photosynthesis, less carbon will be stored and measures of NPP will be lower. × carbon cycle Encyclopedia > Science and Technology > Biology and Genetics > Biology: General carbon cycle carbon cycle, in biology, the exchange of carbon between living organisms and the nonliving environment. Inorganic carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is converted by plants into simple carbohydrates, which are then used to produce more complex substances.

Animals eat the plants and are then eaten by other animals. When these life forms die, they decay, breaking down into, among many other things, carbon dioxide, which returns to the atmosphere. Plants and animals also release carbon dioxide during respiration . Animals and some microorganisms require the carbon-containing substances from plants in order to produce energy and as a source of materials for many of their own biochemical reactions; this cycle is vital to them. The process of incorporating carbon dioxide into the molecules of living matter is called fixation. Nearly all carbon dioxide fixation is accomplished by means of photosynthesis , in which green plants form carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using the energy of sunlight to drive the chemical reactions involved. Green plants use carbohydrates to build the other organic molecules that make up their cells, such as cellulose, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids. Some of these compounds require the incorporation of nitrogen (see nitrogen cycle ). When carbohydrates are oxidized in cells they release the energy stored in their chemical bonds, and some of that energy is also used by the cell to drive other reactions.

In the process of oxidation, or respiration, oxygen from the atmosphere (or from water) is combined with portions of the carbohydrate molecule, producing carbon dioxide and water, the compounds from which the carbohydrates were originally formed. However, not all of the carbon atoms incorporated by the plant can be returned to the atmosphere by its own respiration; some remain fixed in the organic materials that make up its cells. When the plant dies, its tissues are consumed by bacteria and other microorganisms, a process called decay. These microorganisms break down the organic molecules of the plant and use them for their own cell-building and energy needs; by their respiration more of the carbon is returned to the atmosphere. The carbon-containing molecules that an animal derives from consuming other organisms are reorganized to build its own cells or oxidized for energy by respiration, releasing carbon dioxide and water. When the animal dies it too is decayed by microorganisms, resulting in the return of more carbon to the atmosphere. Carbon-containing molecules in wood (or other dry, slow-decaying organic materials) may be oxidized by burning, or combustion, also producing carbon dioxide and water.

Under conditions prevailing on earth at certain times, green plants have decayed only partially and have been transformed into fossil fuels—coal, peat, and oil. These materials are made of organic compounds formed by the plants; when burned, they too restore carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved. See more Encyclopedia articles on: Biology: General How plants make food - definition of How plants make food by The Free Dictionary How plants make food - definition of How plants make food by The Free Dictionary A. sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll in a leaf B. carbon dioxide is taken in from the air C. water is transported from the roots D. glucose is synthesized and distributed throughout the plant E. oxygen is released pho·to·syn·the·sis (fō′tō-sĭn′thĭ-sĭs) n. The process in green plants and certain other organisms by which carbohydrates are synthesized from carbon dioxide and a source of hydrogen (usually water), using light as an energy source. Most forms of photosynthesis release oxygen as a byproduct.

pho′to·syn·thet′ic (-sĭn-thĕt′ĭk) adj. pho′to·syn·thet′i·cal·ly adv. photosynthesis (ˌfəʊtəʊˈsɪnθɪsɪs) n 1. (Botany) (in plants) the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water (with the release of oxygen) using light energy absorbed by chlorophyll 2. (Microbiology) the corresponding process in certain bacteria photosynthetic adj pho•to•syn•the•sis (ˌfoʊ təˈsɪn θə sɪs) n. the production of complex organic materials, esp. carbohydrates, from carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic salts, using sunlight as the source of energy and with the aid of chlorophyll and associated pigments. [1895–1900] pho`to•syn•thet′ic (-ˈθɛt ɪk) adj. pho`to•syn•thet′i•cal•ly, adv.

pho·to·syn·the·sis (fō′tō-sĭn′thĭ-sĭs) The process by which green plants, algae, and certain forms of bacteria make carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll, using light as energy. Photosynthesis normally releases oxygen as a byproduct. Compare chemosynthesis . See Note at transpiration . photosynthesis the synthesis of complex organic substances from carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic salts, with sunlight as the energy source and a catalyst such as chlorophyll. — photosynthetic, adj. See also: Biology , Plants the synthesis of complex organic substances from carbon dioxide, water, and inorganic salts, with sunlight as the energy source and a catalyst such as chlorophyll. — photosynthetic, adj. World Builders 1 Chapter 4 Respiration E Viau CSULA World Builders� Session Four -- Microbiology Respiration: Animals Use Energy Animals are made mostly of proteins. They use the food produced by photosynthesis. Animals eat plants, and live on the energy that plants capture by Photosynthesis . If you have not read the photosynthesis section, turn to it now, as it will help you to understand this page on respiration.

The process by which animals make use of food is called respiration. By this process the animals free the energy captured by plants and other photosynthesizing organisms. They use this energy for maintaining their bodies, breathing, digesting, moving, growing, and reproducing. In the photosynthesis section we saw how plants build themselves by capturing the carbon in carbon dioxide. They use the carbon to serve as a building material. Plants take in carbon dioxide gas, which is made up of molecules containing one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. The plants make use of the carbon atoms to make a sugar, glucose, and let the oxygen molecules, O2 , escape into the air. Plant tissues are classified as carbohydrates because they are made up of a good proportion of various sugar molecules containing carbon atoms. However, animals are made up of mostly of proteins. Proteins also contain carbon, but they are made up of molecules of amino acids. When animals eat plants, they take in more carbon atoms than they need to build themselves. So what do they do with the extra carbon? They burn it! Yes! Adding oxygen to carbon very quickly is what happens when wood or paper or grass burns in a fire.

Animals combine carbon and oxygen more slowly, and at a lower temperature, so they do not burst into flames. Now we see why animals breathe in oxygen (to combine with the extra carbon atoms) and breathe out carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide molecules go out into the atmosphere -- and guess what! The plants use them for photosynthesis! It all works together! Here is a diagram of the respiration process. The atoms are: Does this look familiar? It looks like the photosynthesis diagram, but the reaction is going in the other direction now. The animal eats the plant, and digestion frees up the glucose molecule. The animal has been drinking water, and so has the 6 water molecules, H20 , available. By breathing, the animal has oxygen in its bloodstream. Here we see an animal respiring. You can see that it has an enlarged picture of the glucose molecule in its stomach. On the left you see the 6 water molecules that the animal needs: they are red and yellow in the picture. On the right you can see the 6 oxygen molecules that it needs -- the blood brings them from the lungs. The animal puts together the glucose molecule, the water molecules, and the oxygen molecules. Energy is released!

You can see the animal breathing out the 6 carbon dioxide molecules and the 12 water molecules that are the results of the chemical processes in respiration. In real life the animal probably uses some of the water molecules in its body instead of exhaling them. The picture does not show the energy that is released and used by the animal. We know that it is there, though, because the animal is alive and looking pretty frisky! Things to Remember: The Carbon Cycle: Sources and Sinks The Carbon Cycle: Sources and Sinks Featured Data The Carbon Cycle: Sources and Sinks Compounds that contain the element carbon are referred to as "organic." They are present in all living things. Carbon is continually moving among Earth's lithosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, and atmosphere in various forms: as carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, sugars or carbohydrates (CnH2nOn) in living organisms, and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) in rocks and minerals, to name just a few. The movement of carbon among Earth's spheres, as diagrammed below, is known as the carbon cycle.

The black numbers in the diagram indicate how much carbon is stored in carbon sinks (areas of storage) in billions of tons (gigatons—GtC). The arrows show how carbon moves among Earth’s spheres. Green plants play a very important role in the carbon cycle. They absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and produce carbon-containing sugars. This process is called photosynthesis. There are two main steps in photosynthesis. First, plants trap the sun's light energy in a compound called chlorophyll. This energy is converted to a chemical form called adenosine triphosphate (ATP). In the second step plants use the energy from ATP to produce sugar (C6H1206). The process of photosynthesis requires water (H2O). It also produces water as well as oxygen (O2). The net chemical reaction for the process of photosynthesis is 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + sunlight ------> C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Animals eat plants to obtain the energy trapped during photosynthesis. As the animals' bodies break down the carbohydrates in the plant tissue, CO2 is released to the atmosphere. This process is called respiration.

The net chemical reaction for the process of respiration is the exact opposite of photosynthesis: 6 O2 + C6H12O6 ------> 6 H2O + 6 CO2. Plants respire also as they break down the organic molecules in themselves in order to release the stored energy. Plants and animals also release CO2 to the atmosphere when they decay. When dead plants and animals slowly decay under high pressure and high temperatures, they may eventually form pools of energy known as fossil fuels. Coal, oil, and natural gas are fossil fuels. People burn fossil fuels to release the energy stored in them. The energy is used for heat, operating automobiles, etc. Since the Industrial Revolution humans have burned increasingly greater amounts of fossil fuels in order to produce more energy. As the practice of burning fossil fuels grows, so does the amount of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere. Historical data from ice cores and modern data collected from the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii support this. Source: As a greenhouse gas, CO2 increases the rate of global climate change. This is because CO2 contributes so greatly to the greenhouse effect. The sets of graphs below show carbon dioxide variations over thousands of years.

Data was collected from various sources, such as ice core sampling. Further below is a graph comparing CO2 and temperature levels over thousands of years. Do you see a distinctive pattern across the data visualizations presented? This figure of temperature and carbon dioxide is from the Marian Koshland Science Museum : Variations of Northern Hemisphere Surface Temperature and Carbon Dioxide. Additional information: The image and text excerpt below are from a website by RickyRoad, a faculty member at U Michigan and who leads a course on climate change problem solving. "In this figure there are variations in the temperature field that are not present in the carbon dioxide field. Scientific rigor requires that we investigate this variability, and with some confidence we can attribute the variability prior to about 1800 to volcanic activity and changes in the sun. There is no doubt that the further back we go from the present time, the greater the uncertainty. We, today, have much better observations of temperature, of solar variability, of volcanic activity, of carbon dioxide; we have better measurements of every quantity. Does the fact that we have better measurements today devalue the knowledge from the past? Change it?" -- Ricky Road There are many cooperative programs around the world that monitor carbon dioxide emissions, sources, and sinks.

Source: Earth System Research Laboratory—Global Monitoring Division, Research stations and observatories measure atmospheric carbon dioxide as well as other greenhouse gases, such as methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, nitrous oxide, and sulfur hexafluoride. The data obtained from these stations and sites are invaluable contributions to the science of global climate change. Barrow, AK, Observatory (BRW) is located on the northernmost point of the United States. Source: U.S. Climate Reference Network climate observing station on Mauna Loa in Hawaii (Mauna Kea in the background). Image source: NOAA Satellite and Information Service: The South Pole Observatory (SPO) is located at the geographic South Pole on the Antarctic plateau. Source: The Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is known for its research on atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.

Question: What is the name of the process by which plants obtain carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water?
Answer: Photosynthesis