Name_____________________
KS4 Biology
Bioenergetics -
Photosynthesis
Topic Booklet
Lesson
1. Photosynthesis and uses of glucose
2. Limiting factors
3. Photosynthesis RP
4. FA1
0
,Lesson 1 Photosynthesis and uses of glucose
KEYWORD DEFINITION
Photosynthesis The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to
make glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Chlorophyll A green pigment found within chloroplasts in cells exposed to light.
Chloroplast An organelle found in green plants where photosynthesis happens.
Palisade Cells in green plants that contain many chloroplasts, adapted for
mesophyll photosynthesis.
Endothermic A reaction that requires energy input from the environment.
Cellulose The main substance found in plant cell walls helps the plant to remain stiff and
strong.
Starch A carbohydrate and a natural component of most plants.
Nitrates A set of compounds that involve nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
Amino acids Molecules that combine to form proteins.
Plasmolyse The process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution.
Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that happens in plants and green algae. It is one of the most
important chemical reactions in the history of life. It was responsible for creating an oxygen-rich
atmosphere approximately 2.3 billion years ago and the evolution of humans, and most other
complex life, would not have been possible without it.
What is photosynthesis?
Plants and algae carry out photosynthesis to create their own food. Photosynthesis occurs in the
chloroplast of these cells. The chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which absorbs light and also gives a
leaf its distinctive green colour. Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction meaning it requires an
input of energy from the environment.
1
, The word and symbol equation of photosynthesis is outlined below:
TASK 1 - Comprehension questions
Answer the questions below in your books.
1. Write out the full word equation for photosynthesis. (3)
2. The figure below shows some of the products and reactants involved in photosynthesis. (4)
Draw lines to show the following:
a. Which substances are the reactants of photosynthesis and which chemical formulas
are used to represent these reactants.
b. Which substances are the products of photosynthesis and which chemical formulas
are used to represent these reactants.
3. State where a land based plant would obtain the reactants of photosynthesis mentioned in
question 2. (2)
4. Photosynthesis is described as an endothermic reaction because it uses energy transferred
from the environment to the chloroplasts in the leaves of the plant. State where the energy
comes from to drive photosynthesis. (1)
2
KS4 Biology
Bioenergetics -
Photosynthesis
Topic Booklet
Lesson
1. Photosynthesis and uses of glucose
2. Limiting factors
3. Photosynthesis RP
4. FA1
0
,Lesson 1 Photosynthesis and uses of glucose
KEYWORD DEFINITION
Photosynthesis The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to
make glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Chlorophyll A green pigment found within chloroplasts in cells exposed to light.
Chloroplast An organelle found in green plants where photosynthesis happens.
Palisade Cells in green plants that contain many chloroplasts, adapted for
mesophyll photosynthesis.
Endothermic A reaction that requires energy input from the environment.
Cellulose The main substance found in plant cell walls helps the plant to remain stiff and
strong.
Starch A carbohydrate and a natural component of most plants.
Nitrates A set of compounds that involve nitrogen and oxygen molecules.
Amino acids Molecules that combine to form proteins.
Plasmolyse The process in which cells lose water in a hypertonic solution.
Photosynthesis is a chemical reaction that happens in plants and green algae. It is one of the most
important chemical reactions in the history of life. It was responsible for creating an oxygen-rich
atmosphere approximately 2.3 billion years ago and the evolution of humans, and most other
complex life, would not have been possible without it.
What is photosynthesis?
Plants and algae carry out photosynthesis to create their own food. Photosynthesis occurs in the
chloroplast of these cells. The chloroplasts contain chlorophyll which absorbs light and also gives a
leaf its distinctive green colour. Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction meaning it requires an
input of energy from the environment.
1
, The word and symbol equation of photosynthesis is outlined below:
TASK 1 - Comprehension questions
Answer the questions below in your books.
1. Write out the full word equation for photosynthesis. (3)
2. The figure below shows some of the products and reactants involved in photosynthesis. (4)
Draw lines to show the following:
a. Which substances are the reactants of photosynthesis and which chemical formulas
are used to represent these reactants.
b. Which substances are the products of photosynthesis and which chemical formulas
are used to represent these reactants.
3. State where a land based plant would obtain the reactants of photosynthesis mentioned in
question 2. (2)
4. Photosynthesis is described as an endothermic reaction because it uses energy transferred
from the environment to the chloroplasts in the leaves of the plant. State where the energy
comes from to drive photosynthesis. (1)
2
