Shining a Light on Photosynthesis
Everything you Need to Know About How Food is Made
The Chemical Equation and Reaction
6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) + Energy --> C6H12O6(s) + 6O2(g)
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light Energy --> Glucose + Oxygen
During the process of photosynthesis, the type of reaction taking place is synthesis. This is because energy from the sunlight is harvested and used to power the synthesis of glucose from CO2 and H2O. Since the energy of sunlight is converted it becomes a usable form of chemical energy, thus making it the ultimate origin of metabolic energy for all biological systems and a synthesis reaction.
Description of the Elements Involved in Photosynthesis
Summary of Elements
- Plants retrieve light and energy from the sun, water from the soil and carbon dioxide from air. All these elements: air, water, carbon dioxide and sunlight together make plants churn out their own food possible.
- Plants acquire tubes named Xylem located in the stem through which the water from the soil is absorbed into the leaves. The Xylem is spread throughout different sections of the plant including the stem, branches, all the way up to their leaves, and transports vital nutrients to the entire plant.
- Leaves on the plant have pores which are called stomata. These stomata are responsible for the exchange of gases that are consumed and produced. The carbon dioxide present in the air is one of the main components for photosynthesis, and enters the plant through these stomata. Oxygen is one of the two products that is formed out from the same stomata during this process.
- Leaves have essential cells called Mesophyll cells. These cells contain a green color component called chloroplast. The chloroplast inside the plant is responsible for the green colour that is seen on the surface of plants and leaves.
- Once the carbon dioxide and water reach the chloroplasts, in the presence of sunlight, the process of photosynthesis begins.
- The products that are then formed from the process of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen. Glucose, one of the products of photosynthesis are then synthesized from carbon dioxide and water.
- Glucose is used by the plants for the growth and development. Parts of the glucose produced is used instantly and the extra glucose is stored in the form of starch, in the leaves. Some amount of glucose is also reserved in the roots of the plants. The extra glucose is used to perform photosynthesis when there is no sunlight.
The Light Reaction of Photosynthesis
The Dark Reaction of Photosynthesis (Calvin Cycle)
Why is Photosynthesis Important in Everyday Life?
The Extinction of Animals
Food Web
Oxygen is Necessary for Survival
Work Cited
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