BIOLOGY FOR LIFE
  • IB Biology I
  • IB Biology II
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
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    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
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      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
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    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Mean
      • Standard Deviation
      • T-Test
      • ANOVA
      • Correlation
      • X2 Goodness of Fit
      • X2 Test for Independence
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
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Topic 2.8:
Photosynthesis

Essential Idea:  Photosynthesis uses the energy in sunlight to produce the chemical energy needed for life.
  • Outline answer to each objective statement for topic 2.9 (coming soon)
  • Quizlet study set for this topic
At SHS, Topic 2.9 is taught in the following class unit(s):​​
  • ​Light and Pigments (unit 34A)
  • Photosynthesis (unit 34B)
2.9.U1  Photosynthesis is the production of carbon compounds in cells using light energy.
  • Define photosynthesis.
  • State the chemical equation for photosynthesis.
2.9.U2  Visible light has a range of wavelengths with violet the shortest wavelength and red the longest.
  • Define visible light.
  • State the relationship between wavelength and energy.
  • State the range of wavelengths that fall within the visible spectrum.
2.9.U3  Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light most effectively and reflects green light more than other colours.
  • Define pigment.
  • State the primary and accessory pigments found in chloroplasts.
  • Explain why plants are green.
2.9.U4  Oxygen is produced in photosynthesis from the photolysis of water.
  • ​Define photolysis.
  • State the equation for photolysis.
  • State that the oxygen produced in photolysis is a waste product of photosynthesis.
2.9.U5  Energy is needed to produce carbohydrates and other carbon compounds from carbon dioxide.
  • State the energy conversion that occurs during photosynthesis.
2.9.U6  Temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration are possible limiting factors on the rate photosynthesis.
  • Define “limiting factor.”
  • Explain how the following factors limit the rate of photosynthesis:
    • Temperature
    • Light intensity
    • CO2 concentration
2.9.A1  Changes to the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans and rock deposition due to photosynthesis.
  • State that (some) prokaryotes, algae and plants carry out photosynthesis.
  • Define and state evidence for the “Great Oxidation Event.”
2.9.S1  Drawing an absorption spectrum for chlorophyll and an action spectrum for photosynthesis.
  • Distinguish between an action spectrum and an absorption spectrum.
  • Describe the shape of the curve for an absorption spectrum.
  • Describe the shape of the curve for an action spectrum.
2.9.S2  Design an experiment to investigate limiting factors on photosynthesis.
  • ​List mechanism for measuring the rate of photosynthesis.
2.9.S3  Separation of photosynthetic pigments by chromatograph. (Practical 4)
  • Outline the process of separating pigments using chromatography
  • Calculate the Rf value for pigments using pigment chromatography.   ​
2.9.NOS  Experimental design- controlling relevant variables in photosynthesis experiments is essential.
  • Define independent variable, controlled variable and responding variable.

In the News:

  • Scientists Have 'Hacked Photosynthesis' In Search Of More Productive Crops (2019-01-03)
  • ​How plants bind their green pigment chlorophyll (2018-10-18)
  • Photosynthesis by marine algae produces sound (2018-10-03)
  • ​​Hot-spring bacteria reveal ability to use far-red light for photosynthesis (2014-08-21)
  • Blue leaves help plants get extra energy from sun (2016-10-24)
  • Why Does Fall Foliage Turn So Red and Fiery? It Depends. (2016-10-25)
  • Explaining the Other Side of Autumn Leaves (2016-11-21)
  • Springtime for the artificial leaf (2014-06-04)
  • ​Life forms appeared at least 60 million years earlier than previously thought (2014-09-04)​
  • Iron toxicity for cyanobacteria delayed oxygen accumulation in early Earth's atmosphere (2015-01-05)
  • Humble moss helped create our oxygen-rich atmosphere (2016-08-15)
  • Will the artificial leaf sprout to combat climate change? (2016-11-21)
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"When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the Universe." 
 John Muir,   1911
  • IB Biology I
  • IB Biology II
  • Syllabus
    • Core >
      • 1: Cell Biology >
        • 1.1: Introduction to Cells
        • 1.2: Ultrastructure of Cells
        • 1.3: Membrane Structure
        • 1.4: Membrane Transport
        • 1.5: The Origin of Cells
        • 1.6: Cell Division
      • 2: Molecular Biology >
        • 2.1: Molecules to Metabolism
        • 2.2: Water
        • 2.3: Carbohydrates and Lipids
        • 2.4: Proteins
        • 2.5: Enzymes
        • 2.6: DNA and RNA
        • 2.7: DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation
        • 2.8: Cell Respiration
        • 2.9: Photosynthesis
      • 3: Genetics >
        • 3.1: Genes
        • 3.2: Chromosomes
        • 3.3: Meiosis
        • 3.4: Inheritance
        • 3.5: Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
      • 4: Ecology >
        • 4.1: Species, Communities and Ecosystems
        • 4.2: Energy Flow
        • 4.3: Carbon Cycling
        • 4.4: Climate Change
      • 5: Evolution and Biodiversity >
        • 5.1: Evidence for Evolution
        • 5.2: Natural Selection
        • 5.3: Classification and Biodiversity
        • 5.4: Cladistics
      • 6: Human Physiology >
        • 6.1: Digestion and Absorption
        • 6.2: The Blood System
        • 6.3: Defense Against Infectious Disease
        • 6.4: Gas Exchange
        • 6.5: Neurons and Synapses
        • 6.6: Hormones, Homeostasis and Reproduction
    • Higher Level >
      • 7: Nucleic Acids >
        • 7.1: DNA Structure and Replication
        • 7.2: Transcription and Gene Expression
        • 7.3: Translation
      • 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis >
        • 8.1: Metabolism
        • 8.2: Cell Respiration
        • 8.3: Photosynthesis
      • 9: Plant Biology >
        • 9.1: Transport in the Xylem of Plants
        • 9.2: Transport in the Phloem of Plants
        • 9.3: Growth in Plants
        • 9.4: Reproduction in Plants
      • 10: Genetics and Evolution >
        • 10.1: Meiosis
        • 10.2: Inheritance
        • 10.3: Gene Pools and Speciation
      • 11: Animal Physiology >
        • 11.1: Antibody Production and Vaccination
        • 11.2: Movement
        • 11.3: Kidney and Osmoregulation
        • 11.4: Sexual Reproduction
    • Options >
      • D: Human Physiology >
        • D.1: Human Nutrition
        • D.2: Digestion
        • D.3: Functions of the Liver
        • D.4: The Heart
        • D.5: Hormones and Metabolism
        • D.6: Transport of Respiratory Gases
  • IB Requirements
    • Learner Profile
    • Group 4 Project
    • External Exam
    • Internal Assessment >
      • Personal Engagement
      • Exploration
      • Analysis
      • Evaluation
      • Communication
    • Extended Essay
  • Investigation Skills
    • Lab Safety
    • Microscopy
    • Lab Drawings
    • Data Tables
    • Measurement
    • Statistics >
      • Mean
      • Standard Deviation
      • T-Test
      • ANOVA
      • Correlation
      • X2 Goodness of Fit
      • X2 Test for Independence
    • Graphing >
      • Graphing with Excel
      • Interpreting Error Bars
    • Error Analysis
  • Course Info
    • Above & Beyond >
      • Biology Club
      • Pumpkin Carving
      • Scavenger Hunt
      • Science News
      • IB Bio Dance
      • Wood Duck Project
      • Invasive Crayfish Project
    • Assessment >
      • Class Grading IB Bio I
      • Class Grading IB Bio II
      • Daily Quizzes
      • WICC Assessment
      • Lab Practicals
    • Assessment Statements
    • Class Photos
    • Recommendations
    • Supplemental Reading
  • Contact
  • About
    • Philosophy
    • Resume
    • Reflection
    • Site Feedback
    • Favorite Quotes
    • AEF Blog
  • Expeditions
    • Bahamas (2009)
    • Trinidad (2010)
    • Trinidad (2011)
    • Ecuador (2012)
    • Trinidad (2013)
    • Peru (2014)
    • Bahamas (2015)
    • Peru (2016)
    • Costa Rica (2017)
    • Costa Rica (2018)
    • Peru (2020)
  • Alumni
  • Summer Ecology Research