The process of is essential for the survival of plants and is crucial for life on Earth. During this process, plants convert sunlight into energy, using their leaves to capture light. The primary pigment involved in this process is called , which gives leaves their green color and plays a vital role in absorbing sunlight.
In addition to light, photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as: + + light energy → + . This indicates that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water will yield one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen as byproducts.
Photosynthesis occurs in two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions, also known as the . During the light-dependent reactions, which take place in the , light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle then uses this chemical energy to fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules during the light-independent reactions.
Understanding photosynthesis is fundamental to grasping concepts in ecology, as it is the foundation of the food chain. Plants are regarded as , meaning they create their own food through this process and provide energy for other organisms. Without photosynthesis, the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would be disrupted, affecting life as we know it.
