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Chapter 1 Notes

The document discusses photosynthesis, highlighting its role in converting light energy into chemical energy and producing oxygen, which is essential for life. It explains the importance of chlorophyll and chloroplasts in the process, as well as the carbon cycle, detailing how carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and released back into the atmosphere through respiration and combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, it touches on the impact of fossil fuel combustion on carbon dioxide levels and climate change.

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3 views10 pages

Chapter 1 Notes

The document discusses photosynthesis, highlighting its role in converting light energy into chemical energy and producing oxygen, which is essential for life. It explains the importance of chlorophyll and chloroplasts in the process, as well as the carbon cycle, detailing how carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants and released back into the atmosphere through respiration and combustion of fossil fuels. Additionally, it touches on the impact of fossil fuel combustion on carbon dioxide levels and climate change.

Uploaded by

vashnadevi
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

CHAPTER 1 : PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND CARBON CYCLE

1.1 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS VIDEO
WHY IS PHOTOSYNTHESIS IS IMPORTANT ?
Provide energy
(a)
 Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy
stored in glucose.
 Plants use sunlight to produce glucose and other
carbohydrates.
 The chemical energy in food originally comes from the Sun.

Food chain
(b)
 Photosynthesis is the basis of all food chains.
 Animals obtain energy by feeding on plants or other animals.
 Most energy in ecosystems originates from photosynthesis.

Oxygen as a waste product


(c)
 Photosynthesis releases oxygen as a waste product.
 Oxygen enters the atmosphere and makes up about 20% of air.
 Oxygen is required for respiration in plants and animals.
1.2 CHLOROPHYLL AND CHLOROPLAST

 Chlorophyll is essential for photosynthesis.(GREEN PIGMENT)

 It absorbs light energy needed for photosynthesis.

 The absorbed energy is used to help carbon dioxide react to make food.

 Chlorophyll is found in chloroplasts.

 Chloroplasts are inside plant cells.

 Not all plant cells have chloroplasts → only photosynthesising cells do.

 Leaf cells contain the most chloroplasts, as leaves receive the most light.

 Other green parts (e.g. stems) can also photosynthesise.

 Photosynthesis produces carbohydrates (food for the plant).

 It also releases oxygen as a by-product.

 Warm, sunny conditions increase the rate of photosynthesis.

 Plants store carbohydrates as starch in chloroplasts.

 Starch test is used to check if a leaf has photosynthesised.


INSIDE LEAF

MINERAL AND PLANT GROWTH


1.3 THE CARBON CYCLE
RETURNING CARBON DIOXIDE TO THE AIR

 Plants take in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, but much of it eventually


returns to the air.
 Respiration is the main process that releases carbon dioxide back into the
atmosphere.

 Respiration equation:

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

 Animals and humans release carbon dioxide when they breathe out.
 Plants respire all the time (day and night).

 At night, plants cannot photosynthesise, so they only release carbon dioxide.

 Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) respire while breaking down dead plants
and animals.
FOSSIL FUELS AND COMBUSTION

 Fossil fuels are an important way carbon dioxide is added back to the air.
 When organisms die, some are not fully decomposed due to a lack of
oxygen.
 Over millions of years, heat and pressure turn buried remains into fossil
fuels.
 Types of fossil fuels include coal, oil, and natural gas.
 Coal was formed from fossilised plants that lived millions of years ago.
 Oil and natural gas were formed from tiny marine organisms that settled on
the sea bed.
 Oil is trapped in rocks under the sea and is extracted using oil rigs and
pipes.
 When fossil fuels are burned (combustion), carbon reacts with oxygen to
form carbon dioxide.
 Combustion increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,
contributing to the carbon cycle.
1.4 CLIMATE CHANGE

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