Role of Chloroplast, Water, and CO2 in Photosynthesis
Chloroplast:
- Chloroplast is the organelle where photosynthesis takes place in plant cells.
- It contains chlorophyll, a pigment that absorbs sunlight and converts it into chemical energy.
- Chloroplasts have specialized structures like thylakoids and stroma where different stages of photosynthesis occur.
- During photosynthesis, chloroplasts use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen.
Water:
- Water is one of the essential raw materials required for photosynthesis.
- It is absorbed by plant roots from the soil and transported to the leaves through the xylem vessels.
- Water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
- The oxygen is released as a byproduct, while the hydrogen is used to produce ATP and NADPH, which are energy carriers for the Calvin cycle.
CO2:
- Carbon dioxide is another crucial raw material for photosynthesis.
- It enters the plant through small pores called stomata on the leaves.
- During the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) of photosynthesis, CO2 is used to synthesize glucose.
- The carbon atoms from CO2 are incorporated into sugar molecules with the help of ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions.
- The end product of photosynthesis is glucose, a source of energy for the plant, and oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere.