Photosynthetic reaction Flashcards – AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy (8464) — Biology — Higher

What is photosynthesis?

The process by which plants use light energy to synthesise carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.

What is the word equation for photosynthesis, including the conditions required?

Carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen, in the presence of light and chlorophyll.

What is chlorophyll and where is it found?

A green pigment found in chloroplasts.

What role does chlorophyll play in photosynthesis?

It transfers energy from light into chemical energy used to synthesise carbohydrates.

What does a molecular formula show?

The elements in a molecule, using chemical symbols, and the number of atoms of each element, using subscripts.

What does a missing subscript after an element symbol in a molecular formula mean?

There is one atom of that element.

What is the molecular formula of carbon dioxide?

$\ce{CO2}$

What is the molecular formula of water?

$\ce{H2O}$

What is the molecular formula of oxygen?

$\ce{O2}$

What is the molecular formula of glucose?

$\ce{C6H12O6}$

What is an endothermic reaction?

A reaction that takes in energy from its surroundings overall.

How does energy reach chloroplasts during endothermic photosynthesis?

Light transfers energy from the environment to the chloroplasts.

What happens to the energy transferred to chloroplasts during photosynthesis?

It is used to synthesise carbohydrates and stored as chemical energy.