Study Guide

Chapter 8: Photosynthesis

  1. What is an autotroph? Heterotroph?
  2. What organelle does photosynthesis take place in?
  3. Why are the inside of leafs spongy (air spaces)?
  4. Why were the first land plants restricted to moist environments?
  5. Similarities and differences between cellular respiration and photosynthesis.
  6. What is the differences between the light reactions and the Calvin Cycle (“dark reactions”)?
  7. Photosynthesis is an anabolic process. What does that mean?
  8. What is the general chemical equation for photosynthesis?
  9. Which wavelength is longer: red or violet?
  10. Why is the sky blue?
  11. What is the difference between chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b?
  12. What are carotenoids?
  13. Why do fall trees turn yellow, orange, or red?
  14. Why are plants green?
  15. How do C3, C4, and CAM plants differ?
  16. What environments would you likely find C3 plants? C4 plants? CAM plants?
  17. What are the advantages and disadvantages of C3 plants? C4 plants? CAM plants?