UNIT 2 LESSON 4
THE IMPORTANCE OF
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
C.O.: To understand the importance of organisms that do photosynthesis as the basis of
matter flow and necessary energy for life.
L.O.: To use their own words to explain a process
Keywords
Ecosystem
Photosynthesis
Light
Autotrophs
Energy transformation
Organisms
Glucose
Class Menu
Do now! New Knowledge Guided Practice
Open Question Importance of photosynthesis Fill gaps
Independent Practice Extension Activity Exit ticket
Reading and writing Explain photosynthesis Identify concepts
Do now!
Are all living
beings connected
with each other?
How?
New Knowledge
Think about the links we have with plants and animals:
We sometimes eat fruits and vegetables…
Other times we eat the meat of an animal…
And sometimes an animal can eat another animal…
Or it can only eat fruits and vegetables…
In the end, we are all related to each other as we are dependent on one another, and
that dependence can be explained by just one word:
Energy
WE DEPEND ON EACH OTHER
In this image, you can see how different organisms are dependent on each other. They are all part of a balanced
ecosystem that works in a way that if one of them is missing, this ecosystem might collapse.
Ecosystems are autoregulated by the interactions of all the living beings which are
part of this environment.
Ecosystems
But first, what is an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a geographic area where plants, animals, and other organisms, as well as weather and
landscape, work together to form a bubble of life.
Ecosystems contain biotic or living parts, as well as abiotic factors, or non-living parts.
Biotic factors include Abiotic factors include
plants, animals, and rocks, temperature,
other organisms. and humidity.
example
TO THINK ABOUT…
Every factor in an ecosystem depends on every
other factor. For example, a change in the
temperature of an ecosystem will often affect
what plants will grow there. Animals that depend
on plants for food
(g)and shelter will have to adapt,
move to another ecosystem, or disappear.
CHANGES IN MATTER
Now, let’s go back to the photosynthesis process.
As you remember, this process is where plants, algae, and some bacteria catch
light energy (from the Sun) in their leaves, which is later transformed in order
to produce their food, also known as glucose.
In the molecule of the glucose, something happens…
The energy of the Sun is transformed into and stored as chemical energy.
SO, WHAT HAPPENS?
This is chemical
energy
energy
This is light
energy sugar
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
The process of conversion from light energy to
chemical energy (glucose) is very important for
several processes of autotrophic organisms.
This stored energy can be used by autotrophic
organisms in their own vital functions, such as growth
and reproduction.
It can be used by heterotrophic organisms as well.
AUTOTROPHS AND THEIR
IMPORTANCE
Autotrophic organisms are the ones that deposit the energy into the ecosystems.
They are also the ones that make up the base of the matter and energy flows that are circulating
among living beings.
ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
The energy (glucose) can be stored by
the autotrophic organisms for their
vital functions, such as growth and
reproduction.
Photosynthesis means that plants
transform light energy into chemical
energy, that is to say, the light of the
sun is transformed into glucose.
ENERGY TRANSFORMATION
All living beings of an ecosystem
depend on the matter and energy given
by the autotrophic organisms.
The energy can also be used by
heterotrophic organisms when they
feed from autotrophic organisms or
other animals that eat plants.
Guided Practice
Complete the following box which details the importance of photosynthesis.
Role of photosynthesis
Plants use it to
Animals get their food
it produces which is needed to release energy in
it is responsible for forming
it removes from the air.
Independent practice
Read the text and
answer the following
questions.
extension activity
Explain, in your own words, how photosynthesis is the basis of life using the
following words
Carbon Dioxide
Oxygen
Producers
Beginning
Life
Exit ticket
Look at the
picture and
identify the
requirements and
products
