What is the role of light energy in photosynthesis?

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The process of photosynthesis occurs when green plants use the energy of light to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into carbohydrates. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, a photosynthetic pigment of the plant, while air containing carbon dioxide and oxygen enters the plant through the leaf stomata.



Similarly, it is asked, what is role of light in photosynthesis?

Light is a very important part of photosynthesis, the process plants use to convert carbon dioxide and water into food. Photosynthesis can only occur when a plant has access to water, carbon dioxide, sunlight and chlorophyll. Plant cells naturally produce chlorophyll, and they draw carbon dioxide directly from the air.

Likewise, what is the function of light energy? Light is the main source of energy for photosynthesis. Photons of light excites chlorophyll-a, which emits high energy electron that is utilized in the formation of ATP. Light is also responsible for photolysis of water in presence of chlorophyll, to liberate oxygen essential for life.

One may also ask, what is the role of light energy in photosynthesis quizlet?

Because mushrooms obtain energy from the food that they eat. What is the role of light in photosynthesis? Light energy absorbed by pigments produces high-energy (H+) electrons that are used to convert NADP+ and ADP into NADPH and ATP, trapping the energy in chemical form.

How much light energy is used in photosynthesis?

The part of the solar spectrum used by plants has an estimated mean wavelength of 570 nm; therefore, the energy of light used during photosynthesis is approximately 28,600/570, or 50 kcal per einstein.

38 Related Question Answers Found

What light do plants need for photosynthesis?

Plants use green light for photosynthesis or they reflect it. The leaves look green due to green light that is reflected.

What is role of water in photosynthesis?

During the process of photosynthesis, six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water react in the presence of sunlight to form one glucose molecule and six molecules of oxygen. The role of water is to release oxygen (O) from the water molecule into the atmosphere in the form of oxygen gas (O2).

What is light energy?

Light energy is a kind of kinetic energy with the ability to make types of light visible to human eyes. Light is defined as a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by hot objects like lasers, bulbs, and the sun. However, no matter is essential to carry the energy along to travel.

Why is photosynthesis important?

Photosynthesis is important to living organisms because it is the number one source of oxygen in the atmosphere. Green plants and trees use photosynthesis to make food from sunlight, carbon dioxide and water in the atmosphere: It is their primary source of energy.

How do plants use light?


Plants use a process called photosynthesis to make food. During photosynthesis, plants trap light energy with their leaves. Plants use the energy of the sun to change water and carbon dioxide into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is used by plants for energy and to make other substances like cellulose and starch.

Do plants respire?

Plants are no exception. They need to respire virtually all the time in order to supply their energy needs. Often, the respiration is masked by the fact that photosynthesis produces oxygen faster than respiration takes it up and photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide faster than respiration produces it.

Is chlorophyll a protein?

Chlorophyll itself is bound to proteins and can transfer the absorbed energy in the required direction.

What are the final products of photosynthesis?

The end products of photosynthesis are oxygen and glucose (if you have been in a AP Biology class or a college biology class, you would also know that some water is created in photosynthesis). Oxygen for cellular respiration in plants, animals, and humans, and glucose for energy once it is broken down into ATP.

What are the products of photosynthesis?


The main product of photosynthesis is glucose, which is the molecule that produces energy to run the processes of the cell. Oxygen is mainly a byproduct of the process of photosynthesis. Six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water are needed to produce one molecule of glucose.

What is the principal pigment of plants?

The principal pigments responsible are: Chlorophyll is the primary pigment in plants; it is a chlorin that absorbs yellow and blue wavelengths of light while reflecting green. It is the presence and relative abundance of chlorophyll that gives plants their green color.

Where are photosystem 1 and 2 found?

Photosystems are found in the thylakoid membranes of plants, algae and cyanobacteria. They are located in the chloroplasts of plants and algae, and in the cytoplasmic membrane of photosynthetic bacteria. There are two kinds of photosystems: II and I.

Where does the Calvin cycle occur?

Unlike the light reactions, which take place in the thylakoid membrane, the reactions of the Calvin cycle take place in the stroma (the inner space of chloroplasts). This illustration shows that ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions are used in the Calvin cycle to make sugar.

What is the role of NADP+ in photosynthesis?

NADP+ functions as a carrier to transfer high energy electrons from chlorophyll to other molecules.

What is the importance of chlorophyll?


The role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis is vital. Chlorophyll, which resides in the chloroplasts of plants, is the green pigment that is necessary in order for plants to convert carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight, into oxygen and glucose.

What two processes make up photosynthesis?

Figure: The two stages of photosynthesis: Photosynthesis takes place in two stages: light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions). Light-dependent reactions, which take place in the thylakoid membrane, use light energy to make ATP and NADPH.

What is chlorophyll What is its role in photosynthesis quizlet?

to convert light energy into chemical energy that can be stored. Describe Chlorophyll a and tell its functions. they absorb the light energy that chlorophyll a doesn't and transfer it to be used by chlorophyll a for photosynthesis.