Photosynthesis for everybody!

Energy Cycle in Living Things A fascinating parallel between plant and animal life is in the use of tiny energy factories within the cells to handle the energy transformation processes necessary for life. In plants, these energy factories are called chloroplasts. They collect energy from the sun and use carbon dioxide and water in the process called photosynthesis to produce sugars. Animals can't make their own energy as they lack the specialized energy factories, chloroplasts. The energy cycle for life is fueled by the Sun. And as you already know, the final product is chemical energy in the form of a carbohydrate, glucose. And how does it work? To make a carbohydrate, you simple take a little Carbon and hydrate it with water. Tree's simply get its carbon from the air about it, and takes water up from through its roots. The written Chemical formula is:                                    Carbon Dioxide + Water        →          Glucose   +    Oxygen the same checmical formula can also be written as:                                                                                                          6CO2 + 6H20   →    C6H12O6  +  6O2 Here's a question for you: Can you notice anything particularly important for life apart from the creation of a carbohydrate above? Just below is a fantastically simple video on photosynthesis, check it out and then head on down to the questions just below. Complete the following questions: 1. Write down the chemical equation for photosynthesis 2. Explain why photosynthesis does not occur in animal cells 3. Look up a leaf plant cell on the internet or in your textbook (page 135) and make a similar diagram in your own exercise book, make sure to label the chlorophyll and chloroplasts. 4. A group of scientists once locked themselves into a glass environment for 2 years, locked in with only other plants and a water source. The glass building had no open holes to allow air to flow through.      a. Do you think the Scientists will survive? Why or why not?      b. What do you think the Scientists will do for oxygen or food?