Download Photosynthesis Modeling Activity

Name: _____________________________________________
Photosynthesis
Period: _____
Photosynthesis uses the energy in sunlight to
make sugars such as glucose from carbon dioxide
and water.
You will use 8 rectangles to represent the overall chemical equations for photosynthesis Divide a
sheet of paper into 8 rectangles.
For photosynthesis, prepare:
● four rectangles, each with one of these chemical formulas: C6H12O6, CO2, H2O, and O2,
and the name of the molecule that each chemical formula represents
● one rectangle with → to represent a chemical reaction
● two rectangles with +
● one rectangle with sunlight
1. Arrange the eight rectangles for photosynthesis to show the overall chemical equation for
photosynthesis.
Copy this chemical equation into the box.
Photosynthesis
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Some of the glucose produced by
photosynthesis is used to synthesize other
organic molecules such as starch and
cellulose, which are polymers of glucose.
Other glucose molecules go on to cellular
respiration which creates useable energy
for the cells (ATP) from glucose.
The sugars produced by photosynthesis are
also used to make other plant molecules
such as the amino acids which are the
building blocks for proteins.
2. Circle one glucose monomer in each polymer in the figure.
3. The sugars produced by photosynthesis are used for two different purposes:
● Some of the sugar molecules are used to synthesize __________________________________.
● Other glucose molecules go through the process of ______________________
________________ to produce ATP for the cells.
When photosynthesis produces more glucose than the plant needs, the excess glucose is stored in
starch molecules. Starch molecules can be broken down to provide glucose when glucose is needed for
cellular respiration.
4. A plant needs to carry out cellular respiration throughout the day and night in order to produce the
ATP which provides energy for the processes of life. Write “night” to label the arrow which shows how
the plant gets the glucose needed for cellular respiration at night.
multiple glucose molecules
starch molecule
5. Do you think leaves have more starch molecules at the end of daylight or at the end of the night?
Explain your reasoning.
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