4. Photosynthesis: Site of occurance and pigments involved

In the term photosynthesis, the term 'photo' means light, and 'synthesis' means to build. Hence, photosynthesis means 'building up with the help of light'. During the process of photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy.

Organisms such as green plants, algae and chlorophyll-containing bacteria prepare their food through photosynthesis, and they are said to be in an autotrophic mode of nutrition.

 

  

It is an anabolic process in which carbon dioxide combines with water are converted into organic compounds inside chlorophyll-containing cells utilising sunlight as a source of energy. During this process oxygen is released as a byproduct.

 

The overall equation of photosynthesis is as given below:

 

Carbon      Water                      Glucose              Water          Oxygen
dioxide

All green portions of the plant, notably green leaves, participate in photosynthesis. This is because the pigment chlorophyll is present here.

 

Recall the various requirements of photosynthesis which we have discussed in Grade IX.

We know that chlorophyll is the pigment involved in photosynthesis. Hence it is known as photosynthetic pigment. There are \(5\ \)types chlorophyll pigment found in plants. They are

The photosynthetic pigments categorized into two classes.

 

Chlorophyll a (Chl.a) traps the solar energy and converts it into electrical and chemical energy. Hence they are known as reaction centers. As chlorophyll a performs the reaction of photosynthesis it is known as the primary photosynthetic pigment.

 

 

The other pigments such as chlorophyll b and carotenoidstransfer the absorbed solar energy to chlorophyll a (Chl.a) molecule. Hence, they are known as accessory pigments and harvesting centers.