Photosynthetic Products (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

Photosynthetic products

• Plants synthesise sugars during photosynthesis

• Most of the sugars produced are used by the plant as respiratory substrates

• Remaining sugars are used to make other groups of biological molecules; these molecules form plant biomass, e.g.:

  • starch: a complex carbohydrate molecule that functions as an energy storage molecule inside plant cells

  • cellulose: another complex carbohydrate that forms a structural component of plant cell walls

  • lipids: plant cells convert sugars into lipids, the functions of which include energy storage and formation of waxy cuticle on leaves

  • proteins: plant cells combine sugars with nitrates to make amino acids, which can then be used to produce proteins, e.g. membrane proteins and enzymes