Photosynthesis

Think back a couple years to elementary school, middle school, junior high... Remember recess? Then coming home from school, only then wanting to go back outside and play with friends? Or ride your bike around the neighborhood? More likely, you want to sit down and play video games, desiring nothing more than to forget about homework and school for another evening.

All of these activities requires something: ENERGY! We just learned about the cell making ATP, allowing us to continue what we love to do- sports, painting, reading, writing, dancing, biking, swimming, etc. But did you know that plants need energy, just like you or me?

Plants require energy to grow, to breathe, to make fruits, vegetables, and for many other reasons.

Some plants make their ATP using energy they get from the sun. These plants are called photoautotrophs.

Take a look at this YouTube video (It's the Photosynthesis song!): http://www.youtube.com/user/peterweatherall#p/a/f/0/wj8TGhcCnxs 

Let's read Chapter 8: p 175-180 (on page 180, stop at the section titled "Photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy to chemical bond energy")