Photosynthesis

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants synthesizeto produce a substance by combining other substances chemically. More organic substances from carbon dioxide and water, using energyEnergy is the ability to do work. Energy exists in several forms such as heat, kinetic or mechanical energy, light, potential energy, and electrical energy. Units of Energy: The SI unit... More absorbed from sunlight by chlorophyll.

It is often represented by this equation.

\( \scriptsize 6CO_2 \: + \: 6H_2O \: \overset{Light\:energy}{\normalsize \rightarrow} \: \scriptsize \underset{Glucose}{C_6H_{12}O_6 }\: + \: 6O_2 \)

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.

The equation helps to highlight the following:

• The raw materials of photosynthesis are carbon (IV) oxide from the air and water from the soil. Aquatic plants are surrounded by water which has carbon (IV) oxide dissolved in it.

• Synthesis is an anabolic process which needs energy. In photosynthesis, green plants use sunlight or radiant energy from the sun. They may also use strong artificial light for photosynthesis

• The chlorophyll absorbs radiant energy from the sun. The chlorophyll which is green in colour is present in the chloroplasts.