which molecules are rearranged to make sugars in plants?
The molecules rearranged to make sugars in plants are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Through the process of photosynthesis, plant cells use sunlight energy to convert CO2 and H2O into glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + sunlight energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
The molecules that are rearranged to make sugars in plants are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). Through a process called photosynthesis, plants use sunlight and a molecule called chlorophyll to convert CO2 and H2O into sugars such as glucose.
To understand which molecules are rearranged to make sugars in plants, we need to look at the process of photosynthesis, which is the primary mechanism that plants use to convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose (sugar).
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, specifically in a structure called the thylakoid membrane. Here's a step-by-step explanation of what happens:
1. Light Energy Absorption: Chlorophyll molecules in the thylakoid membrane capture light energy from the sun.
2. Splitting of Water: This captured light energy is then used to split water molecules (H2O) into their component parts: hydrogen ions (H+) and oxygen (O2). This process is termed photolysis.
3. Electron Transport: The energized electrons from the water molecules are passed through a series of electron carriers in the thylakoid membrane. This electron transport chain generates energy-rich molecules called ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).
4. Carbon Dioxide Fixation: Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere enters the chloroplast through small openings called stomata on the leaves. Inside the chloroplast, an enzyme called RuBisCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) fixes the carbon dioxide by combining it with a five-carbon compound called ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). This forms an unstable six-carbon molecule, which immediately breaks down into two molecules of a three-carbon compound known as 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
5. Sugar Formation: The 3-PGA molecules are then converted into another three-carbon compound called glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P) through a series of enzymatic reactions. Some of the G3P molecules are used to regenerate RuBP, which allows the process to continue, while others are used as building blocks to synthesize glucose and other sugars. Multiple G3P molecules can be combined to form glucose or further modified to produce other types of sugars, such as fructose, sucrose, or starch.
So, to summarize, the molecules that are rearranged to make sugars in plants during photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (CO2) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P).
detailed timeline of theevents of the silmarillion
"The Silmarillion" is a complex and expansive work of literature written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It covers a vast timespan and encompasses numerous events and characters from the history of Middle-earth. Here is a brief overview of the significant events in "The Silmarillion," though it is important to note that this is not an exhaustive timeline:
1. Ainulindalë: The creation of the world by the divine beings known as the Ainur, with the angelic Valar being assigned to govern and protect different aspects of Arda (the Earth).
2. The Valar Enter Arda: The Valar descend into Arda and establish themselves in the land of Aman. They shape the world, creating the Two Trees of Valinor, and prepare for the coming of the Elves.
3. Awakening of the Elves: After wandering for a long time, the Elves awaken. The Valar invite them to come to Aman, where they encounter the blissful land of Valinor.
4. The Darkening of Valinor: Melkor (also known as Morgoth), the most powerful and wicked of the Valar, corrupts the Two Trees, leading to their destruction and the darkening of Valinor.
5. The Flight of the Noldor: Following the destruction of the Trees, the Noldor Elves, led by Fëanor, rebel against the Valar and flee to Middle-earth to pursue Morgoth, taking with them the Silmarils, Fëanor's brilliant jewels.
6. The Oath of Fëanor: Fëanor and his sons swear a fierce oath to recover the Silmarils at any cost, leading to an era of strife, treachery, and wars between the Elves and Morgoth.
7. The Siege of Angband: The Valar and their allies wage war against Morgoth in Middle-earth, known as the War of the Great Jewels. This conflict lasts for centuries.
8. The Coming of Men: The Edain, the first race of Men who are friendly to the Elves, aid the Elves in their battles against Morgoth. Men become a prominent force in the war.
9. The Fall of Angband: After centuries of struggle, Morgoth's fortress of Angband is destroyed, and he is captured and locked away in the Void.
10. The Return of the Noldor: Many Noldor Elves repent of their rebellion and return to Valinor. The remaining Elves in Middle-earth prepare for their eventual return as well.
11. The Destruction of Beleriand: In the final battle against Morgoth, the majority of Beleriand, the land in which the events of "The Silmarillion" take place, sinks beneath the sea, forever changing the geography of Middle-earth.
12. The End of the First Age: With Morgoth vanquished, the Valar reshape the world, and the First Age comes to an end. The remaining Elves of Middle-earth either travel to Valinor or remain in hidden realms.
This is just a brief summary of some of the major events in "The Silmarillion." The book itself goes into much more detail, encompassing numerous stories and characters across thousands of years of history in Tolkien's enchanting mythos.