Download Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis: Producing
Energy for Ecosystems
1. Energy (light) from the sun reaches the plant’s leaves. This light reaches the
_________________________ inside the plant’s cells.
2. Inside, carbon dioxide and water combine with light to create
________________ and _____________________.
3. NOT all photosynthesis happens in light; only half of the process actually
occurs in the daytime, when the leaf captures light. The other part happens
at night, when this energy is changed into food.
4. The energy (sugars) produced by the plant are used for the plant’s
________________ processes, but are also passed on to ________________
within an ecosystem.
5. Did you know? A plant uses mostly the red and blue parts of visible light.
The green light waves are not used… that’s why plants appear to be green to
the human eye! Plants have other chemicals and pigments, too. In autumn,
many plants stop producing chlorophyll. This allows you to see the other
pigments, which is why leaves change _______________________.
1. Explain how why plants are known as producers in an ecosystem. Use
details from the lesson in explaining your answer.
2. What single-celled things would be producers in an ocean or lake?
Photosynthesis: Producing
Energy for Ecosystems
1. Energy (light) from the sun reaches the plant’s leaves. This light reaches the
chloroplasts inside the plant’s cells.
2. Inside, carbon dioxide and water combine with light to create oxygen and
glucose (sugar)
3. NOT all photosynthesis happens in light; only half of the process actually
occurs in the daytime, when the leaf captures light. The other part happens
at night, when this energy is changed into food.
4. The energy (sugars) produced by the plant are used for the plant’s life
processes, but are also passed on to consumers within an ecosystem.
6. Did you know? A plant uses mostly the red and blue parts of visible light.
The green light waves are not used… that’s why plants appear to be green to
the human eye! Plants have other chemicals and pigments, too. In autumn,
many plants stop producing chlorophyll. This allows you to see the other
pigments, which is why leaves change color
Q1. Explain how why plants are known as producers in an ecosystem. Use details from the
lesson in explaining your answer. Plants are producers because they go through photosynthesis. When
they do that, they make glucose (sugars) that provide energy to the consumers (animals) in an ecosystem.
Q2. What single-celled things would be producers in an ocean or lake? diatoms, algae, blue-green
bacteria