Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESEARCH PAPER

By: Amanda Sky Ramos
December 19, 2014
Biology
Ms. Graham
Westminster High School

Photosynthesis

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

Photosynthesis is a process with many steps according to Miller and Levine (2010),
photosynthesis uses energy from the sun to turn it into water carbon dioxide which makes high
energy sugars with oxygen. Wikimedia (2014), states that photosynthesis releases a dioxygen
molecule which comes from the chlorophyll which takes the last electron from water. But with
natural photosynthesis the plant takes energy from light in order to split up light into 2 groups of
oxygen and hydrogen states Kleiner (2008).
Chloroplast
Photosynthesis has many parts to make the process happen, the chloroplast is a major
factor to photosynthesis according to Miller and Levine (2010), photosynthesis happens in the
chloroplast also known as the organelles. The chloroplast also contains pigments Speer (1997),
pigments are also known as chlorophyll they are usually a greenish color with a porphyrin ring
and that Phycobilins contain water and they are a type of pigment that are usually found in the
cytoplasm or stroma.
Light dependent
light dependent is a major factor to photosynthesis along with others, but
according to Wikimedia (2014), The non-absorbed part of light spectrum is what gives
photosynthetic organisms there color and the least effective for photosynthesis in the respective
organisms. The light dependent cycle is able to do things itself with the sun according to Speer
(1997), plants don't only reflect their own light but are able to absorb different wavelengths from
pigments. Light dependent requires light and pigments that absorb light which is ATP and
NAPH, they are both made in the light dependent to make sugars with high energy, says Miller
and Levine (2010).
Light independent

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

Light independent is a branch off of light dependent but instead this process does not
need light. Miller and Levine (2010), explain that in the light independent reaction molecules
such as ATP and NADPH molecules are produced to make high energy sugars like carbon
dioxide. Kleiner (2008), states states that hydrogen and oxygen are used at night to fuel the cell
to get electricity. Wikimedia (2014), states that in the
light dependent or dark reaction the enzyme rubisco
captures co2 from the atmosphere and in a process that
requires the newly formed NADPH, called the calvin
cycle, releases 3 carbon sugars, which are later
combined to form sucrose and starches
Energy
Energy is also needed for photosynthesis, without it the process of photosynthesis could
not happen. Cells release the energy that is stored in ATP by the breaking the third phosphate off
and making it two, says miller and levine (2010), he is stating that in order to release energy the
3rd phosphate must break off. Speer B (1997) and Wikimedia (2014) says that In the process of
light reactions a molecule that is inside the pigments chlorophyll receives a photon and loses an
electron, so When plants are exposed to light they receive the energy and release by giving off
very narrow wavelengths.
Storing Energy
besides releasing energy you must store it artificial photosynthesis energy from the sun
can be stored and be used later says Kleiner (2008), while Miller and Levine state that ATP has
the power to release energy and store it by breaking the bonds between the phosphate group.
besides energy there is also the alternative power sources where where many materials including

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

sunlight, split water to become oxygen and hydrogen atoms that are used to give cells fuel for
energy states Danigelis (2012).
Products
Photosynthesis also needs the simple products to make it work carbon is produced by
photosynthesis which is then barely used to make compound cellulose which is for lipids and the
amino acids or it is used in cellular respiration for a fuel states Wikimedia (2014). the catalyst
makes oxygen from water but it doesn't make hydrogen gas. says Kleiner (2008). Speer (1997),
explains that important molecules are used to make photosynthesis happen it passes electrons full
of energy onto other molecules and they will make sugar.
Effects of photosynthesis
Usually there are factors that cause photosynthesis to slow or stop besides all the other
important parts of photosynthesis the ones that affect photosynthesis that we dont pay attention
to are light, water, and temperature.the stronger the light the more it affects the rate of
photosynthesis states Miller and Levine (2010). Surrey (2012), then explains that the water cycle
is helped by plants they help purify the water the plant has. also they help water move from soil
to the atmosphere which is transpiration.
Heterotrophs and Autotrophs
Remember that photosynthesis is not just process it is actually used by many organisms
like heterotrophs and autotrophs according to Miller and Levine (2010), animals that get there
own food by eating other animals are heterotrophs. while Pocham and other contributors (2014),
talk about how autotrophs get carbon from other sources known as carbon dioxide, autotrophs
are always plants; theyre known as primary producers photosynthesis is always used by either
of these organisms otherwise these organisms could not get there energy

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

Conclusion
Miller and Levine propose that Photosynthesis uses the sun to get energy and turn it into
carbon dioxide and water, while Wikimedia states that photosynthesis releases a dioxygen
molecule which comes from the chlorophyll which takes the last electron from water. I agree on
this because photosynthesis has a major process that has to do with energy and converting energy
into carbon dioxide and water.

References

Danigelis, A. (2012). Tiny lorax like trees harvest suns energy; Alternative Power Sources.
Discovery

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

Communications, LLC; U.C. San Diego. Retrieved on

November 25 from:

http://news.discovery.com/tech/alternative-power-sources/nanotrees-harvest-sunlight120312.htm
Descanso House, (2012). Why plants are important; Plant Conservation Day; BGCI Org,.
Richmond, Surrey. Retrieved on December 8, 2014 from:
http://www.bgci.org/plantconservationday/whyplantsimportant/
Kleiner K. (2008). Electrode lights the way to artificial photosynthesis; New Scientist.
Reed Business Information Ltd. Retrieved on December 2, 2014 from:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn14441-electrode-lights-the-way-toartificial-photosynthesis.html#.VItppmTF-mF
Miller K. and Levine J. (2010). Photosynthesis; Biology. Pearson Education, Inc.,
Boston; Chapter 8, (224-227)
Poonam S., Gauri S., Nikhilesh Jasuja, Pooja Sehgal. (contributors), (2014) Autotroph vs.
heterotroph.
Diffen.com. Diffen LLC. retrieved on December 11th 2014 from:
<http://www.diffen.com/difference/Autotroph_vs_Heterotroph>.
Speer, B. (1997). Photosynthetic pigments; University of California Berkeley:
Museum of Paleontology, San Francisco. Retrieved from:
http://www.ucmcp.berkeley.edu/glossary/gloss3/pigments.html
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. (2014). Photosynthesis; Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation,
Inc. retrieved on November 20th, 2014 from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper

Namuth Covert D. Dr., (2014). Transpiration - water movement through plants; Plant and soil
sciences
elibrary. USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture Retrieved on
December
11th 2014 from:
<http://passel.unl.edu/pages/informationmodule.php?
idinformationmodule=1092853841&topicorder=6>.

Ramos, Amanda Sky: Photosynthesis Research Paper