Lyrics

Chorus
Photosynthesis, let’s get into this
Discussion of sunlight, and transfer of energy.
Photosynthesis, let’s get into this
Process of chemical reactions and synergy.

Verse I
Plants take water, sun, and CO2,
to make glucose: the sugar that they use for food
They also put oxygen into the air
So we can share, because oxygen is everywhere
The energy transforms from solar to chemical
All the time, everywhere, the process is identical
In every plant, and every tree
Enabling all living things to be

Chorus

Verse II
Let’s take a look at the light reaction
Making chemical energy when light is captured
electrons flow through the photosystems
Flowing so fast you might have missed ‘em
Within the chloroplast lies the action
The thylakoid membrane is where it happens
ATP and NADPH
Are products of light, water, air, and space

Chorus

Verse III
The Calvin cycle, or dark reaction
Doesn’t need direct sunlight for it to run right.
CO2 from the air enters the chloroplast
Mixing with organic molecules for the last time
With the help of the enzyme Rubisco
Carbon Fixation—I thought you knew this yo!
It forms a carbohydrate known as G3P
It’s created, recreated, and recycled you see

Chorus

Bridge
Leaves on trees and even weeds meet needs
Making oxygen we need to breathe
You want to learn it with ease? You want to master the keys?
It’s photosynthesis, listen to this please

Chorus

Resources

Further Reading

Arizona State University
What is Photosynthesis?
This website features several links which provide detailed summaries of the process of photosynthesis.

Northeastern Area State & Forestry
Why Leaves Change Color
This website gives a detailed account of photosynthesis.

Rader’s Biology4Kids
Photosynthesis
This website has a step-by-step breakdown of the process of photosynthesis.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry
Why Leaves Change Color
This website gives a brief overview of the process of photosynthesis, focusing on how and why leaves change color.

Lesson Plans & Activities

Columbia Education Center
Photosynthesis and Transpiration
This experiment involves the growing of plants to observe how photosynthesis and transpiration work.

Discovery Education
Yummy Plant Parts
This classroom experiment teaches students in great detail about the parts of plants, and their importance to the lives of humans.

Education World: The Educator’s Best Friend
Photosynthesis: Don’t “Leaf” Out Fall’s Most Valuable Lesson!
This article has several classroom activity ideas regarding photosynthesis, including projects with real leaves. It also contains links to other resources.

Education World: The Educator’s Best Friend
Photosynthesis: Why Leaves Change Color
This website provides a True/False quiz for students to take after reading the provided informational link.

My Science Box
Cell Energy (Photosynthesis and Respiration)
This site has detailed instructions for six different experiments, all geared towards helping students better understand the process of photosynthesis. It also features background information to help students understand context.

National Geographic Xpeditions
Photosynthesis, Trees, and the Greenhouse Effect
In this lesson, students will study photosynthesis and then transfer their understanding of this topic to a consideration of how trees can help reduce the negative impacts of the greenhouse effect. The website also includes helpful links to other resources about photosynthesis.

The New York Times Learning Network
Growing Pains: Assessing the Complexities in Plant Growth and Reproduction
In this lesson, students compare common food items with the parts of a plant. They then grow their own plants to assess the difficulties in assisting a plant’s growth and reproduction.

Newton’s Apple
Photosynthesis
This website has a comprehensive teaching plan for photosynthesis, including information, activities, definitions and links.

PBS NOVA Online
Illuminating Photosynthesis
This feature takes a look at the oxygen/carbon dioxide cycle and at the process of photosynthesis. Also included are a few puzzlers.

Teaching Today
Photosynthesis
This experiment explains the role of pigments in photosynthesis.

Media

John Kyrk
Photosynthesis (animation)
His website features an animated outline of the process of photosynthesis.

MSN Encarta
Photosynthesis (demonstration)
This site has 6 different demonstrations related to photosynthesis.

Teacher’s Domain
Photosynthesis (video)
This is a video segment from NOVA: Earth that explains plant biology and our present-day understanding of photosynthesis.