Autotrophy: Collecting Energy from the Nonliving Environment
Topics
Autotrophy & Photosynthesis
1. What are autotrophs?
2. Overview of photosynthesis
3. Light reactions
4. Calvin cycle
Photosynthesis & the Environment
1. Rate of photosynthesis
2. Photorespiration and special adaptations
3. Photosynthesis and the atmosphere
Chemoautotrophy
1. Varieties of chemoautotrophs
2. Chemoautotrophs in the environment
What to Read
Chapter 7 pp 103-111
Chapter 7 pp 112-114
Chapter 15 p 307
Chapter 19 p 437
Vocabulary
ATP synthetase
bundle sheath
Calvin cycle
CAM plants
chemoautotroph
chlorophyll
chloroplast
electromagnetic spectrum
grana
greenhouse effect
light reactions
mesophyll
NADP/NADPH
photorespiration
pigment
stomata
thylakoid
wavelength
Targets
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
State the importance of photosynthesis.
Identify the plant structures that are involved in photosynthesis.
Identify the steps by which light energy is converted to chemical energy during the light reactions.
Discuss the importance of the Calvin cycle.
Describe how environmental factors affect the rate of photosynthesis and photorespiration.
Describe the effects of photosynthesis on the atmosphere.
Discuss the varieties of chemoautotrophs and their distribution in the environment.
1
Blue
(KC126)
2
3
4
Blue (RI126)
Blue (RI127)
Blue
(UC127)
Questions to Consider
Create a concept map using the following words: C3, C4, Calvin cycle, chemical energy,
chemoautotrophs, chloroplasts, light energy, light reactions, photorespiration, stroma,
thylakoid. Start with the word PHOTOSYNTHESIS and branch from there. Add as many
other concepts from the chapter as you can. Be sure to include appropriate linking words
for all concepts.
In what ways is photosynthesis important to humans?
Compare photosynthesis in C3 and C4 plants.
Atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have increased from 300 parts per million (ppm) to
almost 360 ppm in recent years. (1) What has caused the increase in carbon dioxide levels
over time? (2) What will be the effect of this increase on photosynthesis and growth in C3
and C4 plants?