AP Biology (Mader), 11th Edition

Chapter 7: Photosynthesis

Learning Outcomes

7.1 Photosynthetic Organisms

1. Explain how autotrophs are able to produce their own food.
2. Describe the components of a chloroplast.
3. Compare the role of carbon dioxide in autotrophs and heterotrophs.

7.2 The Process of Photosynthesis

1. Describe the overall process of photosynthesis.
2. Compare energy input and output of the light reaction.
3. Compare carbon input and output of the Calvin cycle reaction.

7.3 Plants as Solar Energy Converters

1. Describe the relationship between wavelength and energy in the electromagnetic spectrum.
2. Explain the role of photosynthetic pigments in harnessing solar energy.
3. Examine how APT and NADPH are produced from redox reactions and membrane gradients.

7.4 Plants as Carbon Dioxide Fixers

1. Describe the three phases of the Calvin cycle and when ATP and/or NADPH are needed.
2. Evaluate the significance of RuBP carboxylase enzyme to photosynthesis.
3. Explain how glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate (G3P) is used to produce other necessary plant molecules.

7.5 Other Types of Photosynthesis

1. Compare the internal location of photosynthesis in C₃ and C₄ plants.
2. Contrast C₃/C₄ modes of photosynthesis with CAM photosynthesis.
3. Explain how different photosynthesis modes allow plants to adapt to particular environments.