Photosynthesi

s
PHOTOSYNTHESI
S

The process of synthesis

or preparation of food by
plants is called
photosynthesis. The green
leaves produce food in the
presence of sunlight. For this
, they use carbon dioxide
from the air, water and
minerals from the soil.
 EQUATION
 The process takes
place inside the cell in
green plastids called
chloroplasts.

The overall equation

for photosynthesis is.
 6CO2 +12H2 O Sunlight

Chlorophyll
 C6 H12 O6 +6H2O +6O2

 Carbon dioxide+
water Sunlight Food +
 During this
process
 The light energy is converted into

stable chemical energy, carbohydrate.

 This chemical energy is the energy
available for the rest of heterotrophic
organisms.
 Also during this process oxygen is liberated
and this oxygen is used for respiration by
all aerobic organisms oxygen constitutes
21% of our present day atmosphere.
 This process helps in maintenance of
balance of CO2 and oxygen concentration in
the atmosphere.
Site of Photosynthesis
 Chlorophyll
pigments are mainly
present in cell
organelles, called
plastid. In a cross-
section of a leaf,
plastids can be seen
just below the upper
epidermis in a
tissue, called the
palisade.
Chloroplasts can be
seen easily under a
light microscope.
But the finer details
of the organelle
surrounds the
chloroplast.
 The synthesis of
carbohydrates requires
two substances. These are
carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon dioxide is a gas,
Photosynthesis
which is released into the
atmosphere during
respiration. The
autotrophic plants utilize
carbon dioxide, which
enters the leaf through
the stomata present on its
surface. The aquatic plants
use carbon dioxide
dissolved in water.
 Mechanism of
Photosynthesis
 The entire process of photosynthesis can
be divided into two main stages. One is
light dependent and called light
reaction, while the other is not
dependent on light and is called dark
reaction.
 The released hydrogen ions
reduce the NADP molecule into NADPH,
which is also used during dark reaction.
It is important to note that oxygen
released during photosynthesis comes
 Factors Affecting
Photosynthesis
A number of factors effect the
process of photosynthesis, as a result
of which productivity is effected.
These are-
Light
Carbon dioxide
Temperature
Water
 Light
 Plants use a very small portion of
the incoming solar radiation their
pigment. The chlorophylls absorb
mostly the blue and red regions of
the spectrum. Experimentally, it has
been demonstrated the rate of
photosynthesis increases at the
lower intensities.
 Temperature
 Photosynthesis involves the activities
of a number of enzymes. The enzymes
function with in an optimum range of
temperature. Low temperature has an
inhibitory effect on the rate of
photosynthesis because the activity of
the enzymes is lowered. Increase in
temperature initially accelerates the
rate, but high temperature inhibits
photosynthesis.
 Water
Though the requirement of water for
photosynthesis by a plants is very
little, yet it is an important factor. It
has been observed that the rate of
photosynthesis is slow in water
deficient conditions under water
deficient conditions stomata remain
closed to reduce transpiration. This
restricts or stops the entry of Co2 into
the leaves.
 Carbon dioxide
The rate of photosynthesis increases
with an increases in carbon dioxide
concentration up to a certain level.
Beyond that, CO 2 concentration has
no effect on the rate of
photosynthesis. On the contrary, it
may prove inhibitory.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS IN
PLANTS
Plants are autotrophy and capable of
trapping solar energy and convert
into chemical energy stored in
carbohydrates.
Leaves are the photosynthetic
organs in plants. Chloroplast are
more localized in leaves.
 References
• M- Microsoft Encarta encyclopedia
deluxe 2005
• S- Science Text Book for 10th class
 SUB. TEACHER
 Mrs. Jasmeet Kaur
Science Mistress
 Mrs. Kiranjeet Kaur
Science Mistress