Photosynthesis
Maharashtra Board · Class 11 · Biology
Complete topic list for Photosynthesis in Maharashtra Board Class 11 Biology. Key concepts, sub-topics, and what to focus on for board exams.
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Topics in Photosynthesis
Introduction and Basic Equation
- Photosynthesis is the synthesis of carbohydrates from inorganic materials (CO₂ and H₂O) using solar energy trapped by chlorophyll
- Overall equation: 6CO₂ + 12H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ + 6H₂O (in presence of light and chloroplast)
- About 0.03% CO₂ in atmosphere represents 2200 billion tons globally
Chloroplast Structure and Pigments
- Chloroplasts are lens-shaped organelles in mesophyll cells bounded by double membrane
- Internal structure: Stroma (ground substance) contains grana (stacks of thylakoids)
- Thylakoids contain photosynthetic pigments in their membranes
Nature of Light and Absorption Spectrum
- Light is electromagnetic radiation traveling as photons (quantum theory) or waves
- Visible light spectrum: 390-730 nm wavelength range
- Absorption spectrum: Graph showing light absorption at different wavelengths by pigments
Hill's Experiment and Photolysis
- Van Niel (1931) proposed that oxygen comes from water, not CO₂, based on bacterial photosynthesis
- Hill (1937) cultured isolated chloroplasts with water and ferric compound in absence of CO₂
- Upon illumination, ferric compound was reduced and oxygen evolved from water
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