Photosynthesis in Louisiana Ecosystems

Name:

Date:

🌱 Part 1: Multiple Choice

1. What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP

CO₂ + H₂O → glucose + oxygen

glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water

2. Which pigment is primarily responsible for capturing light energy in photosynthesis?

Carotene

Chlorophyll

Anthocyanin

Xanthophyll

3. In Louisiana's cypress swamps, trees growing in shaded areas produce less glucose than those in sunny areas because:

They have less water available

They receive less light energy for photosynthesis

They have less carbon dioxide

They have smaller leaves

4. Which of the following are products of photosynthesis? (Check all that apply)

Glucose

Oxygen

Carbon dioxide

Water

✏️ Part 2: Short Answer Questions

5. Explain why the live oak trees lining St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans are important for the city's air quality.

6. During Hurricane Ida in 2021, many trees in Louisiana lost their leaves. Explain how this affected the trees' ability to perform photosynthesis and what this meant for their survival.

7. Louisiana's sugarcane crops are excellent at photosynthesis. Describe the relationship between photosynthesis and the sugar production that makes Louisiana famous for its sweet treats.

🎨 Part 3: Diagram Analysis

8. In the space below, draw and label a simple diagram showing photosynthesis in a Louisiana live oak leaf. Include and label: chloroplast, sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, glucose, and oxygen. Use arrows to show the direction of inputs and outputs.

9. Fill in the blanks: Louisiana's coastal marshes contain many plants that perform photosynthesis. These plants take in _________ from the air and _________ from their roots. Using energy from _________, they produce _________ for food and release _________ into the atmosphere.

10. Critical Thinking: Explain why protecting Louisiana's wetlands and forests is important not just for local wildlife, but for the entire planet's atmosphere.

📋 Answer Key

1. 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

2. Chlorophyll

3. They receive less light energy for photosynthesis

4. Glucose and Oxygen

5. Live oak trees perform photosynthesis, taking in CO₂ and releasing oxygen, helping to clean the air and provide fresh oxygen for the city.

6. Without leaves, trees cannot perform photosynthesis effectively, reducing their ability to make food (glucose) and threatening their survival until new leaves grow.

7. Sugarcane plants use photosynthesis to convert sunlight, CO₂, and water into glucose (sugar), which is harvested and processed into the sugar products Louisiana is known for.

8. Diagram should show inputs (sunlight, CO₂, H₂O) entering the leaf/chloroplast and outputs (glucose, O₂) being produced.

9. carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, glucose, oxygen

10. Louisiana's plants produce oxygen and remove CO₂ from the atmosphere through photosynthesis, helping to maintain global air quality and combat climate change.