The process of generating sugar molecules by plants using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis is the method plants use to produce their own food. During this process, plants take in sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to generate sugar (glucose) and release oxygen.
It’s like a cooking recipe for plants, where they cook their food using energy from the sun.
Photosynthesis Simple Definition
The simplest way to define photosynthesis is: It’s the process where plants make food (sugar) using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Explanation of the Photosynthesis Reaction
Photosynthesis happens mostly in the leaves, where there’s a green pigment called chlorophyll. This pigment captures sunlight, which provides the energy needed for the reaction.
Here’s how the process works:
- Plants absorb sunlight using chlorophyll.
- They absorb water from the soil using their roots.
- These ingredients react to produce sugar (glucose), which the plant uses as food, and oxygen, which it releases into the air.
Photosynthesis Equation
The process of photosynthesis can be summed up in a simple equation: Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Glucose + Oxygen
In symbols, it looks like this: 6CO2 + 6H2O + Light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis Examples
Photosynthesis is what allows plants, trees, and even some algae to grow and produce food. For example, when a sunflower grows, it uses photosynthesis to convert sunlight into energy, allowing it to bloom and develop seeds.
