Photosynthesis: Definition and Process
What is photosynthesis
How does photosynthesis happen?
Photosynthesis: Definition and Process
Photosynthesis is a biological process that converts the raw materials of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants prepare their own food. ‘Photo’ means light, and ‘synthesis’ means production or preparation. Therefore, the process of photosynthesis involves the preparation of food using light from the Sun.
The process of photosynthesis is carried out in the leaves of green plants. The raw materials required for photosynthesis are light (obtained from sunlight), water (obtained from the soil by the roots), a nd carbon dioxide (from the air). Using these raw materials and in the presence of the green-coloured pigment chlorophyll, plants prepare glucose, which can be burnt to provide energy to all organisms. Another important byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen, which helps most organisms to sustain.
It generally occurs in the leaves of green plants and requires light energy to make the reaction happen. (It is a photochemical reaction as it requires light, and it is endothermic as it absorbs energy)
Photosynthesis itself occurs in chloroplasts which contain the green pigment known as chlorophyll.
The equations for this reaction are.
carbon dioxide + water → glucose + oxygen
6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
The glucose produced is then used by the plant to allow respiration, which releases energy needed for the plant. The glucose can also be stored by the plant as starch or converted into many other useful products.
– Written By Gyaneshwari Sharma
All living beings to sustain life requires food. We, human beings, get our food directly or indirectly from plants. But the green plants to stay alive make their food, the scientific process by which plants prepare their food is termed as PHOTOSYNTHESIS. The word “photo” means light, and the word “synthesis” means putting together. Photosynthesis is a process by which phototrophs convert light energy into chemical energy, which is later used to fuel cellular activities.
The plant cells prepare their food, and for this process, they primarily require some inorganic raw materials:
I. Carbon dioxide (CO2)
II. Water (H2O)
III. Sunlight
IV. Chlorophyll
Plants absorb water from the soil through the roots, they take carbon dioxide from the environment through the stomatal pores present in the leaves.
These stomatal pores are surrounded by a pair of guard cells and help in releasing the oxygen that is produced during photosynthesis.
With the help of Carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of the green pigment named chlorophyll in their leaves and sunlight, the plants produce carbohydrates, which from the leaves are then transported into each part of the plant. The extra carbohydrates are stored in the form of starch which in future yields fruits.
The process of photosynthesis is commonly written as 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This means that the reactants, six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules, are converted by light energy captured by chlorophyll (implied by the arrow) into a sugar molecule and six oxygen molecules, the products.
– Written By Anushree Ray
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and certain other organisms transform light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis in green plants, light energy is captured and used to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic compounds.
Photosynthesis also applies to other organisms besides green plants. These include several prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, and green sulfur bacteria. These organisms exhibit photosynthesis just like green plants. The glucose produced during photosynthesis is then used to fuel various cellular activities. The by–product of this physiochemical process is oxygen.
The Reaction of photosynthesis is
Carbon dioxide + Water ——> Glucose + Oxygen
– Written By Rupali Gadekar
Oxygen is one of the most important elements in the earth’s atmosphere. It is required for humans to breathe, and without it, humans might not even be able to survive. It is one of the life-saving gases present on the earth. The main composition of water has oxygen molecules, which are needed for human beings for drinking. Oxygen is released through various processes in the earth’s atmosphere. Plants play a very vital role in the formation of oxygen. Production of oxygen is not possible without plants. Plants produce oxygen through a process known as photosynthesis.
Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use the green chlorophyll present in the leaves to prepare food for itself. Plants also use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide in the process. In this process of fusion is released as a byproduct. Oxygen released by the process of photosynthesis is released into the atmosphere with the help of the pores present in leaves.
The plants are the main producers of Oxygen gas in the atmosphere. They breathe in carbon dioxide and release Oxygen, which helps in human survival. Without oxygen, humans won’t be able to survive on Earth.
The chemical events that occur during photosynthesis are complex. The result is that six carbon dioxide molecules and six water molecules become six glucose molecules and six oxygen molecules. The word “photosynthesis” means “making things with light.
The oxygen produced by the plant has to undergo a cycle known as the Oxygen cycle. The oxygen cycle is a biogeochemical cycle in which the oxygen has to go through various states and phases such as oxides, Ions, etc.
Oxygen, which is a life-saving gas, is produced by plants. Therefore, we should plant more plants and trees so that the oxygen level of the earth never gets depleted.
Oxygen from plants, when released into the atmosphere, has various uses. Plants are rightly said as life saviors and autotrophs as they provide each organism with food and other crucial things to survive.
– Written By Soniya Sanyal
