Photosynthesis Graphic Organizer

Three boxes in order: what goes into photosynthesis, where it happens and what comes out.

Press a line to type on it.

Name:Date:1. What goes inSunlight, water, carbon dioxide: where does the plant get each one?2. Where it happensWhich part of the plant? Which part of the cell?3. What comes outGlucose and oxygen: what happens to each one?Photosynthesis in one sentence
Photosynthesis graphic organizer: in, where, out Three numbered boxes joined by arrows: what goes in, where it happens, what comes out. A box at the foot sums the process up in one sentence.
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How it works

This photosynthesis graphic organizer follows the process in the order it happens, from what a plant takes in to what it makes.

Read the full guide

How the three boxes connect

Nothing in the last box is new matter. The carbon dioxide and water of the first box are rebuilt into the glucose and oxygen of the third, and the light supplies the energy that the glucose then stores. When a box is filled in, ask of each thing in it where it came from and where it goes next.

  • Water comes in through the roots. Carbon dioxide comes in through the stomata, which are pores in the leaf.
  • Most plants look green because their chlorophyll reflects green light instead of absorbing it.

Questions and answers

What are the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis?

Carbon dioxide, water and light energy go in. Glucose, which is a sugar, and oxygen come out. The oxygen is a by-product of splitting the water.

What is the equation for photosynthesis?

In words: carbon dioxide + water + light energy → glucose + oxygen. In symbols: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂, with light and chlorophyll needed for the reaction.

Where does photosynthesis take place?

In plants and algae it takes place in chloroplasts, and most of a plant's chloroplasts are in its leaves. Inside the chloroplast, the light-dependent reactions happen in the thylakoid membranes.

How are photosynthesis and cellular respiration related?

In outline they are opposites. Photosynthesis uses light energy to build carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water. Cellular respiration breaks carbohydrates down again, gives off carbon dioxide and water, and releases energy the cell can use.

All 10 organizers

In, where, out 5

  • Draw and label a plant A space to draw a plant and add your own arrows for what enters and what leaves the leaf, over three boxes to write in.
  • Equation sheet: words and symbols Wide boxes for the equation in words and in chemical symbols, over a box each for the reactants and the products.
  • No hints: in, where, out The opening sheet without the question under each heading, for a check at the end of the unit.
  • Photosynthesis graphic organizer: in, where, out Three numbered boxes joined by arrows: what goes in, where it happens, what comes out. A box at the foot sums the process up in one sentence.
  • Two to a page: goes in, comes out Two half sheets with a cut line between them, each with a box for what goes in and a box for what comes out.

Charts 3

  • In or out? Five rows to tick Sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, glucose and oxygen down the side. Tick whether each goes in or comes out, then write where it comes from or where it goes.
  • Photosynthesis and cellular respiration: compare chart A column for each process and a row each for what goes in, what comes out, where it happens and what becomes of the energy.
  • Two stages: light-dependent reactions and Calvin cycle For older grades: a column for each stage and a row each for where in the chloroplast it happens, what goes in and what comes out.

Filled-in samples 2

  • Sample compare chart, filled in The compare chart with all eight boxes written in.
  • Sample photosynthesis organizer, filled in The boxes of the opening sheet written in for a green plant.

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