PHOTOSYNTHESIS
GRADE 11
✅ What is Photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which
green plants (and some organisms) make
their own food (glucose) using:
• Light energy
• Carbon dioxide
• Water
•This process happens in the chloroplasts
of plant cells, using chlorophyll and
enzymes.
• ⚗️Photosynthesis Equation
Chemical Equation:
6CO 2+6H 2O light + chlorophyllC 6H 12O 6
+6O 2
Word Equation:
Carbon dioxide+Water light + chlorophyll
Glucose+Oxygen
•Requirements for Photosynthesis
For photosynthesis to occur, the plant must
have:
1.Carbon dioxide (from the air)
2.Water (from the soil)
3.Light energy (usually from the sun)
4.Chlorophyll (green pigment in leaves)
5.Enzymes (control the chemical reactions)
Structure Function •Structure of the
Double Controls what enters and exits; Chloroplast
Membrane permeable to water and carbon dioxide
•Chloroplasts are
Stroma Jelly-like fluid containing enzymes for green, disc-shaped
the dark phase of photosynthesis
organelles found in the
Grana Stacks of disc-like structures called cells of green plants.
lamellae that contain chlorophyll
They are the sites of
Lamellae Flat membranes inside grana; they photosynthesis, where
hold chlorophyll for trapping sunlight
plants convert sunlight
Chlorophyll Green pigment that absorbs sunlight into food.
for photosynthesis
•📘 Main Parts of the
Ribosomes Make enzymes needed for Chloroplast:
photosynthesis
Starch Grains Store glucose (as starch) made during
photosynthesis
Adaptations of the Chloroplast for
Photosynthesis
Adaptation Why it Helps
Double membrane is permeable to Allows essential materials to enter
water and carbon dioxide easily
Chlorophyll in the grana traps Captures light energy for the light-
sunlight dependent reactions
Grana are made of thin, flat Provide a large surface area to absorb
lamellae more light
Stroma contains enzymes for the Enables the plant to make glucose
dark phase of photosynthesis
Ribosomes in the stroma produce Ensures a constant supply of enzymes
enzymes needed for the reactions
Starch grains store the glucose Prevents waste and stores energy for
produced later use
🌿 Photosynthesis: The Detailed Process
•Photosynthesis is not just one
single reaction—it’s a series of
complex biochemical
reactions that take place inside
chloroplasts. These reactions
are divided into two main
phases:
☀️1. Light Phase
(Light-Dependent
Phase)
Description
Chlorophyll in the grana absorbs sunlight
• Occurs in: the grana (stacked
The sunlight energy is used to split water molecules (H₂O) —
membranes) of the chloroplast
this is called photolysis
Needs: light energy (from the
sun)
Water splits into: Hydrogen (H⁺) + Oxygen (O₂)
Oxygen is released through
the stomata as a by-product
ATP (energy carrier) is formed using
light energy
The high-energy hydrogen (H⁺) and ATP are
sent to the dark phase for making glucose
2. Dark Phase (Light-
Independent Phase)
🌑 2. Dark Phase (Light-Independent Phase)
•Occurs in: the stroma of the
chloroplast
Does NOT need light (can happen day
or night)
🌿 What Happens in the Dark Phase?
Description
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the air enters the stroma
Hydrogen (from the light phase) combines with CO₂
ATP (from the light phase) provides energy for this
reaction
Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) is formed from CO₂ and H⁺
• Glucose may be used immediately or stored as starch
in the leaf
Needs
Phase Where Light?
Inputs Outputs
Light Grana Light, H₂O, ATP, H⁺
(chloroplast) ✅ Yes chlorophyll (hydrogen), O₂
Phase
Dark Stroma CO₂, ATP, Glucose
Phase (chloroplast) ❌ No H⁺ (C₆H₁₂O₆)
Photosynthesis Recap
✅ What is needed?
• Light energy 🌞
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
• Water (H₂O) 💧
• Chlorophyll 🍃
• Enzymes 🧬
🧪 Photosynthesis Equation
(Words):
•Carbon dioxide + Water
—light & chlorophyll→
Glucose + Oxygen
🧪 Photosynthesis Equation
(Symbols):
•6CO₂ + 6H₂O
—light & chlorophyll→
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Where is ATP formed
•ATP is formed in the thylakoid
membranes during the light reactions
of photosynthesis, through the action of
ATP synthase
🧬 Products of Photosynthesis
• Glucose: the food for the plant (later stored as starch)
• Oxygen: a by-product, released into the air
🔍 Testing for Photosynthesis: The Starch Test
We can use the presence of starch in a leaf to test if
photosynthesis has taken place, because:
• Glucose is made during photosynthesis
• Glucose is converted into starch
• Starch is stored in the leaves
🧪 Steps of the Starch Test
1.Destarch the plant (leave in darkness
for 48 hours so no starch is present)
2.Expose the plant to light, water, and
carbon dioxide again
3.Test the leaf for starch using iodine
solution (it turns blue-black if starch is
present)
IMPORTANCE OF
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Photosynthesis keeps the oxygen
concentration in the atmosphere and water
constant. Oxygen is needed by living
organisms for cellular respiration.
• Photosynthesis keeps the level of carbon
dioxide constant in the atmosphere and water.
Carbon dioxide is released by organisms
during cellular respiration.
• Photosynthesis provides food for
heterotrophic organisms
EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AMOUNTS OF LIGHT,
CARBON DIOXIDE AND TEMPERATURE ON THE
RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Light intensity
• At low light intensity, the rate of photosynthesis is
low.
• As light intensity increases, the rate of
photosynthesis also increases. This will happen up to
a certain point.
• If light intensity increases above the optimum, the
rate of photosynthesis will remain constant.
• Factors such as carbon dioxide become limiting
factors which reduces the rate of photosynthesis.
• Carbon dioxide (CO2 ) concentration
• At a low carbon dioxide concentration, the
rate of photosynthesis is low.
• As the carbon dioxide concentration level
increases, the rate of photosynthesis also
increases. This will happen up to a certain
point.
• If the carbon dioxide concentration is higher
than the optimum amount, then
photosynthesis will remain constant.
• Temperature
• When temperature is low, the rate of
photosynthesis is low.
• As temperature increases, the rate of
photosynthesis also increases.
• If the temperature is higher than the
optimum amount, then the rate of
photosynthesis will decrease. This is because
the enzymes used in the process will
denature at high temperatures and will no
longer function.
• At low temperatures enzymes become
inactive.
Leaf Structure
Leaves are the main site of
photosynthesis, where plants make
their own food. Let’s look at the structure
of a typical dicotyledonous leaf (like a
bean or sunflower leaf):
Main Parts of a Leaf (Cross-Section)
Cuticle
Waxy layer on the surface
Function: Prevents water loss.
Upper Epidermis
•A thin layer of cells below the cuticle
• Function: Protects the leaf and allows light to pass
through.
Palisade Mesophyll
• Layer
of tightly packed cells rich in
chloroplasts
• Function: Main site of photosynthesis.
Spongy Mesophyll
• Loosely
arranged cells with air spaces
between them
• Function: Allows gas exchange (CO₂ in, O₂
out).
Vascular Bundle (Vein)
• Contains xylem and phloem:
• Xylem: Carries water to the leaf.
• Phloem: Carries food (glucose) away from
the leaf.
• Function: Transport system of the leaf.
Lower Epidermis
• Bottom layer of cells
• Contains guard cells and stomata
Guard Cells
• Specialized cells that control the opening
and closing of stomata
• Function: Help prevent water loss and
control gas exchange.
Stomata (singular = stoma)
• Small openings mostly on the underside of
the leaf
• Function: Allow gases to enter and leave
the leaf (CO₂, O₂, water vapor)
ANY QUESTIONS?
