Ch. 2 Photosynthesis and Maps

"Photosynthesis is a process whereby plans convert chemical energy into food in the presence of sunlight"(Barker,2003). We all know what photosynthesis is, this is something that I learned in the elementary school; but I never knew the significance of it and how it is the most important biological process on earth. I was fascinated to learn all the details of photosynthesis. "Photosynthesis requires sunlight, chlorophyll, and raw materials to occur. Carbon dioxide drawn from the air and water absorbed through the roots of plants is the usual raw material for photosynthesis; however, some forms of bacteria use hydrogen sulfide in place of water. The chlorophyll present in plant cells traps the energy in ultraviolet light. The end product of photosynthesis is glucose; oxygen and water are



http://www.energex.com.au/switched_on/images/content/green/61.gif

byproducts"(Barker). Plants use the energy from the sunlight to convert the carbon dioxide from the air into sugars, starches and other high energy carbohydrates. When the plant needs food, it then draws the energy stored. If the process of photosynthesis does not occur, then there is no food that is produced.

Photosynthesis is one of the processes that fill all of our food requirements and many of our needs for fiber and building equipment. I never knew that coal, oil and natural gas wee all the major sources of this energy that is produced. These materials come from plants and animals, and the energy within the plants and animals is from photosynthesis. Barker states on pg. 33 how in Brazil, ethanol produced from sugars and starches by fermentation is a major automobile fuel; and this product is also added to gasoline is some parts of the United States to reduce harmful pollutants. I knew the basic fundamentals of photosynthesis but to find that this process can lead to gasoline is amazing. Wood, paper, wool and petroleum are only some of the few raw materials we used that depend on photosynthesis.

When a plant does not receive enough sunlight, the process of photosynthesis cannot proceed therefore new technologies are allowing scientist to create environments that allow photosynthesis to proceed in the absence of light, which is called artificial photosynthesis. There are some things that can affect the process of photosynthesis such as herbicides (agrochemicals to control weeds during crop growth), and another way is by water stress. Aside from plants, we can use photosynthesis in the medical field. Light has very high energy and this can be associated with aging of the skin and cancer. This is the affect of photosynthesis on living organisms. The mechanisms that were adopted by plants have helped scientists so they can use these on humans. "One such mechanism that is already used in the medical field involves using similar chlorophyll relatives to localize tumor tissue, and thus act as dyes that clearly define the boundary between cancerous and healthy tissue" (Barker).

Even the food that we eat is a product of photosynthesis. Organisms obtain energy and this moves through the eco system, and this can be seen through the food chain. There are the producers which are called the autotrophs which convert the energy from the environment into carbon bonds. Plants are producers and they take the energy from sunlight and use it to convert carbon dioxide into sugar. Other producers can be some bacteria. There is the consumers which are the heterotrophs which get their energy which is made by the producers. The nutrients get passed along and this process of photosynthesis has an affect on us as humans! Chapter 3 states a great example which begins grass -> grasshopper -> mouse -> snake ->.. The hawk is the final consumer and has consumed all of the energy and nutrients of each of the individuals. This is also passed on to humans; humans are omnivores which mean we eat both plants and animals. We are consuming all the energy from the plants and animals as well as the energy and nutrients they consumed.

I found this chapter to be very interesting, because as I said; I always knew what the process of photosynthesis was but I only took it into consideration with plants. I never knew how this energy could be obtained in some of the foods that we eat.

This chapter also explains about the different types of maps and what they are used for. When you hear the word map you typically think of the basic map used to get from point A to point B, I never took into consideration as to how many different types of maps, their use and the way that they were created. There is a topographic map which can display three dimensional surfaces and portray both man made and natural features. It can also display mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers, plains, vegetation, buildings, road etc. The base map is general and shows the locations of land and water by labeling river and lakes, state and local boundaries as well as roads, towns and cities. The thematic map portrays primary information such as cultural information, population, or rainfall. There are road maps, political maps(out lines of

http://www.worldpress.org/images/maps/world_600w.jpg

countries, states and cities). Physical maps, and weather maps which show fronts, temperatures, rain, snow etc.

Some of the first topographic and geologic maps go back as far as 1879. The first mapping pioneers were faced with many challenges while attempting to map a country. Most of the locations could not be reached by foot, therefore this led to having to travel which is expensive and difficult. Majority were created by a mapping technique called plane-table surveying. The device used was a portable drawing board on a tripod with a sighting device. The topographer has to climb to the area's highest point and plot the features that could be seen and measured. This continued to be the mapping technique up until the 1940's when there was a new age and a new technique. It is incredible how many different types of maps there are out there and the use for them. I was fascinated when I found out how the maps were created in the 1800's. No one really takes the time to appreciate a map, but in reality; maps are very important and have a great significance to our every daily lives.


Here are some pictures of different types of maps:


Population map

http://www.texasento.net/maps.htm



Weather map


http://americanhiking.chattablogs.com/archives/2006_10.html



Topographic Map



http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/india/map-of-india-physical.gif

References:

Barker (2003) Environmental Studies: Concepts, Connections and Controversies, Iowa,Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company

Energex (2008). Retrieved January 18, 2008 http://www.energex.com.au/

Maps of India (1998) Retrieved January 18, 2008 http://www.mapsofindia.com/

Map of Texas and Beyond(2008) Retrieved January 18, 2008 http://www.texasento.net/maps.htm

The Vista: An American Hiking Society (2006) Retrieved January 18, 2007 http://americanhiking.chattablogs.com/archives/2006_10.html

WorldPress.Org (1997-2008). Retrieved January 17, 2008 http://www.worldpress.org/