Welke invloed heeft ontbossing op het milieu? - Sigma Aarde
Van de uitputting van de biodiversiteit tot de verergering van de klimaatverandering en de ontwrichting van vitale ecosystemen: de gevolgen van ...
fotosynthese
Bomen staan ​​bekend om hun vermogen om CO2 op te nemen2 door <anchor>fotosynthese</anchor>. Het Amazone-regenwoud is een van de belangrijkste koolstofputten ter wereld, waarbij gezonde bomen fungeren als enorm waardevolle koolstofputten. Door ontbossing worden deze putten echter omgezet in enorme netto uitstoters, wat verstrekkende gevolgen zou kunnen hebben voor het vertragen van het tempo van de klimaatverandering en het bijdragen aan een scherpe stijging van de mondiale temperaturen. Het huidige tempo van de uitstoot als gevolg van het verlies van regenwoud is ongeveer 25% hoger dan dat van de Europese Unie en marginaal lager dan dat van de Verenigde Staten.
Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis

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## ENCYCLOPEDIC ENTRY

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# Photosynthesis

# Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.

### Grades

5 - 8

### Subjects

Biology

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- [Photosynthesis (Google doc)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yXgHtOEFydDKw_9Qd8sBxUBbDvKjfhlOUCONgMn89wE/edit?usp=sharing)

Most life on Earth depends on photosynthesis.The process is carried out by plants, algae, and some types of bacteria, which capture energy from sunlight to produce oxygen (O2) and chemical energy stored in glucose (a sugar). Herbivores then obtain this energy by eating plants, and carnivores obtain it by eating herbivores.

**The process**

During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) from the air and soil. Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while the carbon dioxide is reduced, meaning it gains electrons. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy within the glucose molecules.

**Chlorophyll**

Inside the plant cell are small organelles called chloroplasts, which store the energy of sunlight. Within the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast is a light-absorbing pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving the plant its green color. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs energy from blue- and red-light waves, and reflects green-light waves, making the plant appear green.

**Light-dependent Reactions vs. Light-independent Reactions**

While there are many steps behind the process of photosynthesis, it can be broken down into two major stages: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reaction takes place within the thylakoid membrane and requires a steady stream of sunlight, hence the name light- _dependent_ reaction. The chlorophyll absorbs energy from the light waves, which is converted into chemical energy in the form of the molecules ATP and NADPH. The light-independent stage, also known as the Calvin cycle, takes place in the stroma, the space between the thylakoid membranes and the chloroplast membranes, and does not require light, hence the name light- _independent_ reaction. During this stage, energy from the ATP and NADPH molecules is used to assemble carbohydrate molecules, like glucose, from carbon dioxide.

**C3 and C4 Photosynthesis**

Not all forms of photosynthesis are created equal, however. There are different types of photosynthesis, including C3 photosynthesis and C4 photosynthesis. C3 photosynthesis is used by the majority of plants. It involves producing a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglyceric acid during the Calvin Cycle, which goes on to become glucose. C4 photosynthesis, on the other hand, produces a four-carbon intermediate compound, which splits into carbon dioxide and a three-carbon compound during the Calvin Cycle. A benefit of C4 photosynthesis is that by producing higher levels of carbon, it allows plants to thrive in environments without much light or water.

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June 21, 2024

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