Uses of Glucose from Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis Overview

• Word Equation for Photosynthesis:

  Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Energy → Glucose + Oxygen

• Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where carbon dioxide and water combine using light energy to produce glucose (a sugar) and oxygen.

Uses of Glucose Produced in Photosynthesis

1. Energy Release through Respiration

• Location: Respiration occurs in the mitochondria of plant cells.

• Process: Glucose is used to release energy necessary for the plant’s activities, taking place continuously (day and night).

• Photosynthesis only produces glucose during the day when there's light, but plant cells respire all the time, including at night.

2. To produce Starch

• Storage Molecule: Glucose is converted into to produce the insoluble storage molecule, starch.

• Usage: Starch can be converted back into glucose when energy is needed, particularly at night when photosynthesis ceases due to lack of light.

• second use of the glucose produced by photosynthesis is to produce the insoluble storage molecule, starch.

  The starch can be converted back to glucose by the plant when it's needed, for example, at night.

3. Converted of Fats and Oils

• In many plants, that glucose produced in photosynthesis is converted to fats and oils, such as olive oil.

• Many plants convert glucose into fats and oils, which serve as a longer-term storage of energy.

• Example: Olive oil is derived from fatty storage molecules in plants.

4. Creates Cellulose in cell wall

• Cell Wall Composition: The cell wall in plants contains the molecule cellulose, which provides structural support and strength.

• Source: Cellulose is created from glucose produced in photosynthesis.

• The plant cell is enclosed in a cell wall.

  The cell wall contains the molecule of cellulose, which gives it strength.

• This cellulose is made from the glucose produced by photosynthesis.

5. Creates Amino Acids (Synthesis of Amino Acids)

• Glucose is also utilized to produce amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.

• Plants need to absorb nitrate ions from the soil to synthesize amino acids from glucose.

• Example: Foods like peas serve as good sources of protein due to amino acids synthesized by plants.

• Final use for the glucose produced in photosynthesis: to produce amino acids.

  Amino acids are used by the plant to synthesize proteins, and foods such as peas are good protein sources.

  To make amino acids from glucose, plants need to absorb nitrate ions from the soil.