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Photosynthesis Lab Report

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Photosynthesis is defined as a process in which oxygen and glucose are produced from a reaction with the following: carbon dioxide, water, and solar energy, such as sunlight. This process occurs in plant cells in their chloroplasts. Within those chloroplasts are small sacs known as thylakoids. These are located in the stroma of the cell, which is composed of a thick fluid (Urry et al. 2013). The thylakoid membrane is the location of energy absorption. This is also the location of pigments, which create a place for photosynthesis to occur. During photosynthesis there are two reactions: the light reaction and the dark reaction. Photosynthesis depends on both of these reactions because the byproducts from the light reaction are used in the dark reaction (Carter 2014). The opposite is true as well. In a light reaction, chemical energy is created from solar energy. To do this, light passes through the thylakoid membrane. Light then comes in contact with the pigments, which allow for photosynthesis (Carter 2014). Oxygen is the main product of this reaction; however, there are other products as well. Once the chlorophyll has absorbed the light, electrons, from the separation of water molecules, …show more content…

For example, C3 plants prefer hot, desert-like conditions. To accommodate this, they have to keep their stomata closed, in order to prevent water loss and secure carbon dioxide and oxygen within specific plant structures (Urry et al. 2013). C3 plants also partake in photorespiration. This is a process which is opposite of photosynthesis because carbon dioxide is a product and oxygen and ATP are reactants (Urry et al. 2013). Additionally, no glucose is produced from this process (Urry et al. 2013). Another example of a plant that prefers hot, desert-like conditions is the C4 plant. Despite their partially sealed stomata, they still produce glucose (Urry et al.

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