Key concepts:
1. Photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy.
2. White light from the Sun is composed of a range of wavelengths (colors).
3. Chlorophyll is the main photosynthetic pigment and absorbs red and blue wavelengths most efficiently. Chlorophyll reflects green wavelength. This is why many plants are "green" colored.
4. The light energy is used to produce ATP, and to split water molecules (photolysis) to form oxygen and hydrogen.
5. The ATP and hydrogen (derived from the photolysis of water) are used to fix carbon dioxide to make organic molecules.
6.The rate of photosynthesis can be measured directly by the production of oxygen or the uptake of carbon dioxide, or indirectly by the increase in biomass or O2 production.
7. The rate of photosynthesis is effected by the temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration.
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