Photosynthesis: An Overview
Photosynthesis
Plants use the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide into high-energy carbohydratesPhotosynthesis Equation:
Scientist Investigation
Jan van Helmont (1643)Joseph Preistley (1771)Jan Ingenhousz (1779)
Van Helmont’s Experiment
Measured plant’s water intake and mass increaseConcluded that trees gain most of their mass from water
Joseph Priestley Experiment
Used a jar, candle, flame, and mint leafConcluded that plants give off oxygen
Ingenhousz’s Experiment
Concluded that light is necessary to produce oxygen
What the Experiments Led to:
Other experiments:Discovered that in the presence of light, plants transform carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, and they also release oxygen
Process of Photosynthesis
A plant transforms carbon dioxide and waterUsing light energyGives off Oxygen and produces Glucose (a valuable source of energy)
Plants use low-energy raw materials to produce high-energy sugars
Must look at how plants capture energy from then sunPlants gather the sun’s energy with light absorbing molecule~ PIGMENTSThe plants’ principle pigment is chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b
Why are plants typically green?
ROYGBIVChlorophyll absorbs light waves of all colors Reflects the green light
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