What is photosynthesis?
Answer
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make glucose and release oxygen.
The working
Definition
Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants and some organisms convert light energy into chemical energy stored in food (glucose).
Equation
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → (in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll) → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂.
Requirements
It needs carbon dioxide, water, sunlight, and the green pigment chlorophyll, which traps light energy. It mainly takes place in the chloroplasts of leaf cells.
Two phases
The light reaction splits water and produces oxygen and energy carriers, while the dark reaction uses that energy to fix CO₂ into glucose.
Importance
It is the source of all food and oxygen on Earth and is the base of nearly every food chain.
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