Chapter 10 - Photosynthesis

Question 1

what is photosynthesis?

Answer 1

when light energy is converted to chemical energy that is stored in sugar and other organic molecules

Question 2

what does the sugar formed during photosynthesis do?

Answer 2

Sugar made provides chemical energy and carbon skeletons to make other organic molecules

Question 3

where do plants store excess sugar formed by photosynthesis?

Answer 3

Plants store this excess sugar as starch in structures such as roots, tubers, seeds, fruits

Question 4

what are autotrophs?

Answer 4

self feeders that sustain themselves without eating anything derived from other living beings

Source of organic compounds for non-autotrophic organisms = producers

Question 5

what do autotrophs produce their organic molecules from?

Answer 5

Produce their organic molecules from CO2 and other inorganic raw materials from the environment

Question 6

what are photoautotrophs?

Answer 6

Plants are photoautotrophs: organisms that use light as a source of energy to synthesize organic substances

Question 7

where does photosynthesis occur?

Answer 7

Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, unicellular eukaryotes, and some prokaryotes (bacteria)

Question 8

what are heterotrophs?

Answer 8

obtain organic material by feeding off of compounds produced by other organisms since they’re unable to make their own food = consumers

• Rely on photoautotrophs for organic molecules (food) and for O2
• Decomposers: consume the remains of dead organisms by decomposing and feeding on organic litter like carcasses, feces, leaves (fungi, prokaryotes)