Reference Terms
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Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy. Using sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water from the soil, these organisms produce glucose—a form of sugar used for energy—and release oxygen as a byproduct. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where the green pigment chlorophyll captures light energy.
The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → glucose + oxygen.
This transformation not only fuels the plant’s growth and metabolism but also supports life on Earth by generating the oxygen we breathe and forming the base of the food chain.
Photosynthesis consists of two main stages: the light-dependent reactions, which generate energy-rich molecules using sunlight, and the Calvin cycle, which uses that energy to build glucose from carbon dioxide. It is a fundamental biological process that drives the planet’s ecosystems and helps regulate the Earth’s atmosphere.
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