Photosynthesis in Chloroplasts

Chloroplasts are located in the leaves of the plant; leaves are a plants photosynthetic organ along with roots and stem

• H2O in the soil moves into into the roots through osmosis

  • soil is hypotonic, roots are hypertonic

    • hairy roots increase surface area to increase absorption

  • capillary actions move the water up the xylem, a plants vascular tube

    • cohesion and adhesion

• transpiration evaporates water out of the leaf, breaking hydrogen bonds

  • stomata on bottom surface of leaf allows water to leave

    • guard cells open/close stomates based on available water; swelling causes it to open

    • when dry, guard cells shrink and become flaccid

• CO2 enters the cell by entering the stomates when they open

  • continues to diffuse into the cell

• Light is absorbed by chlorophyll and reflected

  • multiple wavelengths (colors)

    • green least effective

    • violet and red most effective