photosynthesis :: essays research papers

Organisms Depend Upon PhotosynthesisA. Organisms Depend Upon Photosynthesis 1.Photosynthetic organisms (algae, plants and a some other organisms) serve as ultimate source of nutrient for just about life. 2.Photosynthesis transforms solar energy into chemical bond energy of carbohydrates. 3.Most food chains start with photosynthesizers.Solar RadiationKey Discoveries of Photosynthetic mouldStructure of ChloroplastsFunction of Chloroplasts A. Solar Radiation 1.Solar beam of light is set forth in terms of its energy content and its wavelength. 2.Photons be discrete packets of refulgent energy that travel in waves. 3.The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of types of solar radiation based on wavelength. a.Gamma rays have shortest wavelength. b.Radio waves have hourlong wavelength. c.Energy content of photons is inversely pro pieceal to wavelength of particular type of radiation. 1.Short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation has photons of a higher energy content. 2.Long-waveleng th infrared light has photons of bring low energy content. 3.High-energy photons (e.g., those of ultraviolet radiation) are dangerous to cells because they can fit agglomerate organic molecules by breaking chemical bonds. 4.Low-energy photons (e.g., those of infrared radiation) do not damage cells because they do not break chemical bonds alone merely increase vibrational energy.d.White light is made up of many different wavelengths a prism separates them into a spectrum.4.Only 42% of solar radiation that hits earths air reaches surface near is visible light. a.Higher energy wavelengths are screened out by ozone socio-economic class in upper atmosphere. b.Lower energy wavelengths are screened out by water vapor and CO2. c.Consequently, both the organic molecules within organisms are processes, much(prenominal) as vision and photosynthesis, are adapted to radiation that is most overriding in the environment.5.Earths Energy-Balance sheet a.42% of solar energy hitting atmospher e reaches earth surface put down is reflected or heats atmosphere b.Only 2% of 42% is eventually used by plants rest becomes heat. c.Of this plant-intercepted energy, only 0.1 to 1.6% is incorporated into plant tissue. d.Of plant tissue, only 20% is eaten by herbivores most of rest decays or is lost as heat. e.Of herbivore tissues, only 30% is eaten by carnivores.6.Photosynthetic pigments use primarily the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. a.Two major photosynthetic pigments are chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. b.Both chlorophylls absorb violet, blue, and red wavelengths best. c.Very little greens light is absorbed most is reflected back this is why leaves appear green. d.Carotenoids are yellow-orange pigments which absorb light in violet, blue, and green regions. e.When chlorophyll in leaves breaks down in fall, the yellow-orange pigments show through.