Gas exchange for a plant occurs through the help of tiny pores in the leaves known as stomata.

The singular form of stomata is one stoma.

Ins and Outs

TEMPORARY END

​A pigment called chlorophyll (found in plants) absorbs energy (photons) from the sun.

Sunlight (photons)

Water enters most plants through its roots as its absorbed by capillary action.

Water (H₂O)

Carbon dioxide enters the plant through pores in the leaves called stomata.

Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

​Reactants

The first part of the reaction directly requires the light energy/photons. We say this part of the reaction is light-dependent.

Using Photons

The first part of the reaction occurs in green, pancake-shaped structures in the chloroplasts called thylakoids.

Green Pancakes

Water is broken/split into atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. The oxygen can be released as molecules of O₂ gas in the air.

Break Water

Light-Dependent Reactions

Light-Independent Reactions

The next part of the reaction does not directly need light energy/photons. We say this part is
light-independent.

Independent

This part of the reaction is also known commonly as the Calvin Cycle.

​​AKA

This part of the reaction occurs in the stroma, or the open space within a chloroplast.

​​Where?

Carbon dioxide is bonded with hydrogen atoms to create glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).

​​What?

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Factors Affecting Photosynthesis