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Here's a detailed 1000-word explanation/notes on Photosynthesis, suitable for Class 7–9

students and great for exam preparation:

🌱 PHOTOSYNTHESIS – Detailed Notes

Definition

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria prepare their own
food using carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and chlorophyll. It occurs in the chloroplasts of plant
cells.

🔹 Word Origin: Photo = Light, Synthesis = Putting together

🔹 So, Photosynthesis = Putting together using light

Overall Word Equation

Carbon dioxide
+
Water
→
Chlorophyll
Sunlight
Glucose
+
Oxygen
Word Equation:

6
C
O
2
+
6
H
2
O
→
Chlorophyll
Sunlight
C
6
H
12
O
6
+
6
O
2
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂): from the air (enters through stomata)

• Water (H₂O): from the soil (absorbed by roots)

• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): a type of sugar (stored or used by the plant)

• Oxygen (O₂): released into the air

Where Does Photosynthesis Occur?

Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves of green plants, especially in cells containing chloroplasts.

• Chloroplasts: Organelles that contain chlorophyll

• Chlorophyll: The green pigment that captures sunlight energy

🟢 Only green parts of the plant carry out photosynthesis

Main Raw Materials for Photosynthesis

Raw Material Source

Carbon
From air (enters leaves through stomata)
dioxide
From soil (absorbed by roots and carried by
Water
xylem)
Sunlight From the sun (absorbed by chlorophyll)
Chlorophyll Found in chloroplasts in leaf cells

Structure of a Leaf (Related to Photosynthesis)

• Cuticle: Waxy layer that prevents water loss

• Upper epidermis: Transparent, allows light to pass through

• Palisade layer: Contains many chloroplasts; main site of photosynthesis

• Spongy layer: Has air spaces for gas exchange

• Stomata: Tiny pores for gas exchange (CO₂ in, O₂ out)

• Guard cells: Control the opening and closing of stomata

Steps in Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis occurs in two major stages:

1. Light-dependent reaction (Light Reaction)

• Occurs in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts

• Needs sunlight

• Water is split (Photolysis) to release:

◦ Oxygen gas (O₂) – goes into the air

◦ Hydrogen ions (H⁺) – used later

◦ ATP and NADPH – energy carriers used in next step

2. Light-independent reaction (Dark Reaction / Calvin Cycle)

• Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast

• Does not require light directly

• Uses CO₂ and energy from ATP + NADPH

• Produces glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

Importance of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth:

1. Food production: Plants make their own food and form the base of food chains

2. Oxygen release: Provides the oxygen we breathe

3. Maintains CO₂ and O₂ balance in the atmosphere

4. Fuels all ecosystems

5. Converts solar energy into chemical energy

Adaptations of Leaves for Photosynthesis

Adaptation Function
Large surface area To absorb more sunlight
Thin structure Short distance for gas diffusion
Stomata present For gas exchange
Veins with xylem and Transport water to leaf; carry food
phloem away
Chloroplasts in upper layers Capture maximum light

Stomata and Gas Exchange

• Stomata are small pores mainly on the underside of the leaf

• Each stoma is surrounded by guard cells

• During the day, guard cells swell (turgid) and open the stomata

• At night, they shrink (flaccid) and close the stomata

• Allows CO₂ in, O₂ out, and water loss (transpiration)

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

1. Light intensity: More light = faster photosynthesis (up to a point)

2. Carbon dioxide concentration: More CO₂ = faster rate

3. Temperature: Moderate temperature = faster rate; very high or low slows it

4. Water availability: Less water = slower photosynthesis

5. Chlorophyll content: Less chlorophyll = slower process

⛅ Example: On cloudy days, less photosynthesis occurs due to less sunlight

Experiments Related to Photosynthesis

🔬 1. Test for Starch in a Leaf (Iodine Test)

Aim: To prove that photosynthesis makes starch

Steps:

1. Take a leaf from a plant kept in sunlight

2. Boil the leaf in water to kill it

3. Boil it in alcohol to remove chlorophyll (decolorize)

4. Wash with warm water to soften it

5. Add iodine solution

Observation:

• Leaf turns blue-black → starch is present

 • Conclusion: Photosynthesis occurred

🔬 2. Importance of Sunlight in Photosynthesis

• Cover part of a leaf with black paper (no sunlight)

• After a few hours, test for starch

• Covered part doesn’t turn blue-black

• Conclusion: Sunlight is necessary

Types of Nutrition in Organisms

Type Description Example

Makes own food from simple
Autotrophic Green plants
substances
Heterotrophi Humans,
Depends on others for food
c animals

Photosynthesis is the basis of autotrophic nutrition.

Other Organisms That Photosynthesize

• Algae (seen as green scum in ponds)

• Phytoplankton in oceans

• Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

• Some protists like Euglena

🌊 Oceanic phytoplankton produce over 50% of Earth’s oxygen!

End Products of Photosynthesis

Produc
Use
t
Glucose Used for energy or stored as starch
Oxygen Released into air for respiration of living beings
Some is reused; some lost as vapor through
Water
transpiration

Storage of Food in Plants

 • Glucose is converted to starch (insoluble) and stored in:

◦ Leaves

◦ Roots (carrot, beetroot)

◦ Stems (sugarcane)

◦ Seeds (wheat, rice)

Comparison: Photosynthesis vs Respiration

Feature Photosynthesis Respiration

Energy Stores energy (endothermic) Releases energy (exothermic)
Occurs Chloroplasts (only in green Mitochondria (all living
in cells) cells)
Needs CO₂, water, sunlight, chlorophyll Glucose, oxygen
Produces Glucose and oxygen CO₂, water, energy (ATP)
Time Daytime (requires light) All the time

Fun Fact

• A single mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of CO₂ and release oxygen for 2 people every
day!

• Venus flytrap and pitcher plants also photosynthesize, but catch insects for extra nutrients
like nitrogen.

✅ Summary

• Photosynthesis is vital for life – it provides food and oxygen.

• Requires CO₂, water, sunlight, and chlorophyll.

• Occurs in chloroplasts of green plants.

• Produces glucose (stored as starch) and releases oxygen.

• Affected by factors like light, CO₂, water, temperature.

Would you like a printable PDF version of these notes or a labeled diagram of the process?

Sure! Here's a detailed 1000-word explanation/notes on Photosynthesis, suitable for Class 7–9
students and great for exam preparation:
🌱 PHOTOSYNTHESIS – Detailed Notes

Definition

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria prepare their own
food using carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and chlorophyll. It occurs in the chloroplasts of plant
cells.

🔹 Word Origin: Photo = Light, Synthesis = Putting together

🔹 So, Photosynthesis = Putting together using light

Overall Word Equation

Carbon dioxide
+
Water
→
Chlorophyll
Sunlight
Glucose
+
Oxygen
Word Equation:

6
C
O
2
+
6
H
2
O
→
Chlorophyll
Sunlight
C
6
H
12
O
6
+
6
O
2
• Carbon dioxide (CO₂): from the air (enters through stomata)
 • Water (H₂O): from the soil (absorbed by roots)

• Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆): a type of sugar (stored or used by the plant)

• Oxygen (O₂): released into the air

Where Does Photosynthesis Occur?

Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves of green plants, especially in cells containing chloroplasts.

• Chloroplasts: Organelles that contain chlorophyll

• Chlorophyll: The green pigment that captures sunlight energy

🟢 Only green parts of the plant carry out photosynthesis

Main Raw Materials for Photosynthesis

Raw Material Source

Carbon
From air (enters leaves through stomata)
dioxide
From soil (absorbed by roots and carried by
Water
xylem)
Sunlight From the sun (absorbed by chlorophyll)
Chlorophyll Found in chloroplasts in leaf cells

Structure of a Leaf (Related to Photosynthesis)

• Cuticle: Waxy layer that prevents water loss

• Upper epidermis: Transparent, allows light to pass through

• Palisade layer: Contains many chloroplasts; main site of photosynthesis

• Spongy layer: Has air spaces for gas exchange

• Stomata: Tiny pores for gas exchange (CO₂ in, O₂ out)

• Guard cells: Control the opening and closing of stomata

Steps in Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis occurs in two major stages:

1. Light-dependent reaction (Light Reaction)

 • Occurs in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts

• Needs sunlight

• Water is split (Photolysis) to release:

◦ Oxygen gas (O₂) – goes into the air

◦ Hydrogen ions (H⁺) – used later

◦ ATP and NADPH – energy carriers used in next step

2. Light-independent reaction (Dark Reaction / Calvin Cycle)

• Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast

• Does not require light directly

• Uses CO₂ and energy from ATP + NADPH

• Produces glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

Importance of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth:

1. Food production: Plants make their own food and form the base of food chains

2. Oxygen release: Provides the oxygen we breathe

3. Maintains CO₂ and O₂ balance in the atmosphere

4. Fuels all ecosystems

5. Converts solar energy into chemical energy

Adaptations of Leaves for Photosynthesis

Adaptation Function
Large surface area To absorb more sunlight
Thin structure Short distance for gas diffusion
Stomata present For gas exchange
Veins with xylem and Transport water to leaf; carry food
phloem away
Chloroplasts in upper layers Capture maximum light

Stomata and Gas Exchange

 • Stomata are small pores mainly on the underside of the leaf

• Each stoma is surrounded by guard cells

• During the day, guard cells swell (turgid) and open the stomata

• At night, they shrink (flaccid) and close the stomata

• Allows CO₂ in, O₂ out, and water loss (transpiration)

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

1. Light intensity: More light = faster photosynthesis (up to a point)

2. Carbon dioxide concentration: More CO₂ = faster rate

3. Temperature: Moderate temperature = faster rate; very high or low slows it

4. Water availability: Less water = slower photosynthesis

5. Chlorophyll content: Less chlorophyll = slower process

⛅ Example: On cloudy days, less photosynthesis occurs due to less sunlight

Experiments Related to Photosynthesis

🔬 1. Test for Starch in a Leaf (Iodine Test)

Aim: To prove that photosynthesis makes starch

Steps:

1. Take a leaf from a plant kept in sunlight

2. Boil the leaf in water to kill it

3. Boil it in alcohol to remove chlorophyll (decolorize)

4. Wash with warm water to soften it

5. Add iodine solution

Observation:

• Leaf turns blue-black → starch is present

• Conclusion: Photosynthesis occurred

🔬 2. Importance of Sunlight in Photosynthesis

 • Cover part of a leaf with black paper (no sunlight)

• After a few hours, test for starch

• Covered part doesn’t turn blue-black

• Conclusion: Sunlight is necessary

Types of Nutrition in Organisms

Type Description Example

Makes own food from simple
Autotrophic Green plants
substances
Heterotrophi Humans,
Depends on others for food
c animals

Photosynthesis is the basis of autotrophic nutrition.

Other Organisms That Photosynthesize

• Algae (seen as green scum in ponds)

• Phytoplankton in oceans

• Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)

• Some protists like Euglena

🌊 Oceanic phytoplankton produce over 50% of Earth’s oxygen!

End Products of Photosynthesis

Produc
Use
t
Glucose Used for energy or stored as starch
Oxygen Released into air for respiration of living beings
Some is reused; some lost as vapor through
Water
transpiration

Storage of Food in Plants

• Glucose is converted to starch (insoluble) and stored in:

◦ Leaves

◦ Roots (carrot, beetroot)

 ◦ Stems (sugarcane)

◦ Seeds (wheat, rice)

Comparison: Photosynthesis vs Respiration

Feature Photosynthesis Respiration

Energy Stores energy (endothermic) Releases energy (exothermic)
Occurs Chloroplasts (only in green Mitochondria (all living
in cells) cells)
Needs CO₂, water, sunlight, chlorophyll Glucose, oxygen
Produces Glucose and oxygen CO₂, water, energy (ATP)
Time Daytime (requires light) All the time

Fun Fact

• A single mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of CO₂ and release oxygen for 2 people every
day!

• Venus flytrap and pitcher plants also photosynthesize, but catch insects for extra nutrients
like nitrogen.

✅ Summary

• Photosynthesis is vital for life – it provides food and oxygen.

• Requires CO₂, water, sunlight, and chlorophyll.

• Occurs in chloroplasts of green plants.

• Produces glucose (stored as starch) and releases oxygen.

• Affected by factors like light, CO₂, water, temperature.

Would you like a printable PDF version of these notes or a labeled diagram of the process?