Name: photosynthesis powers the food chain
Uploaded: 2025-05-22T09:05:32.000Z
Duration: 1 min
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

NC K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Biology

from-molecules-to-organisms-structures-and-processes

From Molecules to Organisms- Structures and Processes

LS.Bio.3.2

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a biochemical process used by green plants, most algae, and cyanobacteria to capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy.
This chemical energy is stored in the molecular bonds of organic compounds, which can be broken down to generate ATP &#8212; the cellular energy currency that drives biological functions.
However, to perform photosynthesis, organisms also need other essential components, particularly water and carbon dioxide.
Let&#39;s take the example of land plants. They use water from the soil, carbon dioxide from the air, and energy from the sun to synthesize sugar molecules, which fuels their growth, development, and physiology.
The photosynthesis reaction also releases oxygen gas as a byproduct, which is essential for the survival of other organisms.

what is photosynthesis?

All living organisms on Earth are directly or indirectly dependent on photosynthesis. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy that every organism can use to power its metabolism. Photosynthesis is also the source of oxygen required by many living organisms.
Types of Organisms Based on their Modes of Nutrition
Broadly, there are two main categories of organisms based on their modes of nutrition &#8212; autotrophs and heterotrophs. An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food. Plants, algae, and a group of bacteria called cyanobacteria are autotrophs. Because they use light to manufacture their own food in the form of carbohydrates, they are also called photoautotrophs. In contrast, heterotrophs, such as animals, fungi, and most bacteria, rely on the sugars produced by autotrophs for their energy needs. Even if an animal feeds on another animal, the origin of the food can be traced back to the autotrophs and the process of photosynthesis. Therefore, although the energy in the form of carbohydrates can only be produced in organisms that carry out photosynthesis, it is subsequently transferred to every living organism and drives the whole ecosystem.
Summary
Photosynthesis is a multi-step process that requires specific wavelengths of visible sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water as substrates. After the process is complete, it releases oxygen and produces glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, as well as simple carbohydrate molecules that can then be converted into sugar molecules, such as glucose and sucrose. These sugar molecules contain energy and the energized carbon that all living things need to survive.
This text is adapted from<a href="https://openstax.org/books/biology-2e/pages/8-1-overview-of-photosynthesis"> Openstax, Biology 2e, Chapter 8, Section 8.1: Overview of Photosynthesis..</a>

All living organisms on Earth are directly or indirectly dependent on photosynthesis. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from ...

Education

JoVE Core

Cell Biology

Unit 1

Chloroplasts and Photosynthesis

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

photosynthesis powers the food chain

Photosynthesis powers the food chain by turning sunlight into usable chemical energy. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy that organisms use to support metabolism. Photosynthesis also provides the oxygen needed by many living things.

Organisms are often grouped by how they get food. Autotrophs are organisms that make their own food. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria are autotrophs, and because they use light to make carbohydrates, they are also called photoautotrophs.

Heterotrophs, including animals, fungi, and most bacteria, depend on sugars made by autotrophs for their energy needs. Even when one animal eats another, the food energy can be traced back to autotrophs and photosynthesis. In this way, energy stored as carbohydrates moves through the ecosystem and reaches every living organism.

Photosynthesis is a multi-step process that needs specific wavelengths of visible sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. When it is complete, the process releases oxygen and makes glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate. That molecule can then be converted into simple carbohydrate molecules and into sugars such as glucose and sucrose, which store energy and energized carbon needed for life.

Photosynthesis Powers the Food Chain

Photosynthesis powers the food chain by turning sunlight into usable chemical energy. It is the only biological process that can capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy that organisms use to support metabolism. Photosynthesis also provides the oxygen needed by many living things. Organisms are often grouped by how they get food. Autotrophs are organisms that make their own food. Plants, algae, and cyanobacteria are autotrophs, and because they use light to make...

the anatomy of chloroplasts

How Chloroplasts Power Photosynthesis

Chloroplasts are the organelles that power photosynthesis in green algae and plants. They are found in green stems and unripe fruit as well as in leaves. Inside chloroplasts, the two stages of photosynthesis work together to turn sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into chemical energy. The light-dependent reactions capture sunlight and release oxygen. They also make ATP and NADPH, which are energy-rich molecules. The light-independent reactions then use ATP and NADPH to capture CO2 and build...

the calvin benson cycle

Photorespiration, C4, and CAM Pathways

Photorespiration and the C4 and CAM pathways change how plants handle carbon dioxide during photosynthesis. These processes matter because RuBisCo, the enzyme that starts carbon dioxide fixation, works very slowly. A typical enzyme can process about a thousand molecules per second, but RuBisCo fixes only around three carbon dioxides per second. To make up for this slow rate, photosynthetic cells produce very large amounts of RuBisCo. That is why it is the most abundant single enzyme on Earth. <br...

the photochemical reaction center

Light-Harvesting Antennas in Reaction Centers

Light-harvesting antennas and reaction centers work together in photosynthesis. A reaction center is a pigment-protein complex that starts the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. The term photochemical reaction center is more precise because these complexes carry out the first light-driven chemical step. Robert Emerson and William Arnold gave the first experimental evidence for these centers. They showed that nearly 2,500 chlorophyll molecules were involved in the release of just...

the antenna complex

Light-Harvesting in Photosynthesis

Light-harvesting in photosynthesis depends on the antenna complex, also called the light-harvesting complex (LHC). Plants and other photosynthetic organisms use this system to collect direct sunlight with pigments in both the reaction center and the antenna complex. The reaction center is the main site of photochemical reactions. Under average light conditions, the reaction center pigments absorb light more slowly than the electron transport chain can use it. The reaction center alone cannot...

photosystems

Photosystems in Light Reactions

Photosystems are pigment-rich protein complexes that help drive the light reactions of photosynthesis in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. They are embedded in the thylakoid membrane inside the chloroplast. Their job is to capture light energy and pass it along for chemical use. Each photosystem contains many pigment molecules, including chlorophylls and carotenoids. These pigments are arranged in two parts: the antenna complex and the reaction center. The antenna complex absorbs photons and...

the z-scheme of electron transport in photosynthesis

the-z-scheme-of-electron-transport-in-photosynthesis

How Electron Flow Powers the Z-Scheme

The Z-scheme explains how electrons move through the light reactions of photosynthesis. In this process, light energy drives electrons from water to NADP+, and oxygen is released when water splits. Because water is hard to oxidize, the reaction needs a strong oxidizing agent. That role is filled by oxidized P680, also called P680+. It is the first product of the light reactions and is known as the most powerful oxidizing agent in biology. After it gains an electron from water-splitting, P680+...

key terms and concepts

Learn how photosynthesis turns sunlight into chemical energy, makes oxygen, and supports autotrophs, heterotrophs, and the whole food chain.

Photosynthesis Powers the Food Chain | JoVE K12

cell biology

JoVE Core Cell Biology illustrates complex cellular processes in easy-to-understand yet comprehensive animated video lessons. This collection focuses on the essential components and functions of cells, including organelles and membranes, cellular transport, and cell energetics. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of cell biology in real-world research experiments.

Pennsylvania State Academic Standards

Life Science

matter-and-energy-in-organisms-and-ecosystems

Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems

3.1.9-12.E

3.1.9-12.J

3.1.9-12.K

Louisiana Student Standards for Science

High School

Life Sciences

From Molecules To Organisms: Structures And Processes

HS-LS1-5

ecosystems-interactions-energy-and-dynamics

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy And Dynamics

HS-LS2-1

Environmental Science

HS-LS2-4

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

Cells

Cellular processes

Tennessee Academic Standards

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

BIO1.LS1.8

Virginia  Standards of Learning

HIgh School

BIO.2

BIO.2.e

Minnesota Academic Standards in Science

3.1.1 9L.3.1.1.2

3.2.1 9L.3.2.1.3

new-jersey-student-learning-standards-for-science

New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science

Arizona Science Standards

HS.L2

HS.L2U1.21

HS+B.L2

HS+B.L2U1.8

Alabama Course of Study Science

9-12.B.1.5.b

Earth and Human Activity

9-12.EVS.4.8.a

Florida Department of Education

SC.912.L.18

SC.912.L.18.7

Georgia Standards of Excellence

Geology

Formation and Evolution of Earth

SG1.c

south-carolina-college-and-career-ready-science-standards

South Carolina College and Career Ready Science Standards

B-LS1-5

new-york-state-science-learning-standards

New York State Science Learning Standards

HS-LS1-6.

Botany

SBO1.

Photosynthesis

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LS.Bio.1.3

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Photosynthesis Powers the Food Chain

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