Photosynthesis

This multipart animation series explores the process of photosynthesis and the structures that carry it out.

Photosynthesis converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in organic molecules, which are used to build the cells of many producers and ultimately fuel ecosystems. After providing an overview of photosynthesis, these animations zoom inside the cells of a leaf and into a chloroplast to see where and how the reactions of photosynthesis happen. The animations detail both the light reactions and the Calvin cycle, focusing on the flow of energy and the cycling of matter.

This animation series contains seven parts, which can be watched individually or in sequence. The first three parts are appropriate for middle school through college-level students. The remaining parts are appropriate for high school through college-level students; Parts 5 and 6 are recommended for more advanced students. Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animations at various points to discuss different steps or structures.

The accompanying “Student Worksheet” incorporates concepts and information from the animations. The animations are also available in a YouTube playlist or as a full-length YouTube video.

The “Resource Google Folder” link directs to a Google Drive folder of resource documents in the Google Docs format. Not all downloadable documents for the resource may be available in this format. The Google Drive folder is set as “View Only”; to save a copy of a document in this folder to your Google Drive, open that document, then select File → “Make a copy.” These documents can be copied, modified, and distributed online following the Terms of Use listed in the “Details” section below, including crediting BioInteractive.