Chapter 8, Problem 5A

Summary Introduction

To replace:

The italicized word with a correct vocabulary term in the given sentence

Introduction: In living organisms, chemical energy is stored in organic compounds and this energy is converted to other forms of energy. All living organisms need energy to carry out various biological functions. All the chemical reactions in a cell are together called metabolism. There are two metabolic pathways; anabolic pathway and the catabolic pathway.

Answer to Problem 5A

Light energy is converted into chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis.

Explanation of Solution

Photosynthesis is an anabolic pathway in which light energy from the Sun is converted to chemical energy for use by the cell. Light energy is trapped by pigments called chlorophyll and converted to chemical energy during the process of photosynthesis.

Autotrophs use the solar energy along with carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen. The energy stored in glucose can be transferred to other organisms when the glucose is consumed as food.

Photosynthesis occurs in two phases; light dependent reaction which occurs in grana of thylakoids in chloroplasts and light independent reactions which occurs in stroma of chloroplasts.