Lesson 4.2: Photosynthesis: An Overview Review Questions

1. What is a chlorophyll? What is its role in photosynthesis?

Answer explanation

Chlorophyll is a pigment in plants. Its role is to capture the energy of sunlight.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

NADP+ is an example of an electron carrier. Describe its function in photosynthesis.

Answer explanation

NADP+ accepts high-energy electrons and carries them to chemical reactions elsewhere in the chloroplast.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

Identify the reactants, products, and basic functions of photosynthesis.

Answer explanation

The reactants of photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water; the products are glucose and oxygen. The function of photosynthesis is to convert light energy to chemical energy.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS2-5

SEP Develop Models: Draw a model to show how the process of photosynthesis impacts both the flow of energy and the cycling of carbon through the atmosphere and biosphere.

Answer explanation

Student illustrations should show carbon dioxide leaving the atmosphere to be stored in plants and oxygen leaving the plant to go into the atmosphere. It should also show the energy of sunlight being transformed into chemical energy stored in sugars.

Summarize: What roles do ADP and ATP play in the light-dependent and light-independent reactions?

Answer explanation

During the light-dependent reactions, the thylakoid membranes use the energy from sunlight to add a phosphate group to ADP so it becomes ATP. During the light-independent reactions, the chemical energy stored in ATP is used in synthesizing sugars.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5

NGSS.HS-LS1-7

SEP Use Models: Use Figure 4-6 as a model to describe how the light-dependent and light-independent reactions transform light energy into stored chemical energy.

Answer explanation

The light-dependent reactions use the energy of sunlight to split water molecules and make NADPH and ATP. The light-independent reactions use the stored chemical potential energy of NADPH and ATP to assemble carbon dioxide and hydrogen into glucose.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS1-5