The Importance of Water in Photosynthesis

Plant leaves use water to convert light energy into food.

Plants are one of the few life forms that possess an amazing ability to convert light into nutrient materials. This process --known as photosynthesis- marks the start of nature's food chain and requires certain materials be available for use. Water is an essential requirement within the photosynthesis process and enables many of the chemical interactions that occur to take place.

Identification

Plant photosynthesis processes involve the use of light, water and carbon dioxide to produce sugar molecules, according to Estrella Mountain Community College. Plant leaf cells contain chlorophyll, a material that's designed to capture light rays. The light rays are then processed through a series of chemical reactions called cellular respiration. Cellular respiration produces ATP, the energy fuel used to carry out work within the plant body. The importance of water lies in its ability to provide energy within different stages of the photosynthesis process.

Function

The water used by plants for photosynthesis is obtained through the soil, according to Estrella Mountain Community College. Plant bodies contain a conduction system that's able to pull water up from the soil, through the stem and into the leaves. Specialized leaf cells, called xylem produce a type of suction force that also works to draw water up through the plant body. This process makes water available so photosynthesis can take place. Leaves also take in carbon dioxide gases for cellular respiration purposes and release oxygen as a byproduct.

Light Reactions

Photosynthesis processes involve a chain of events where light energy is converted through chemical reactions with water and carbon dioxide, according to Estrella Mountain Community College. As leaf cells absorb light, the electrons attached to water molecules become excited and move into a higher energy state. When this happens, water molecules are split. The splitting of water molecules releases oxygen into the atmosphere and releases high-energy hydrogen atoms for use. From this point, cellular respiration processes manufacture ATP and NADPH. These two materials combine with hydrogen and carbon dioxide molecules to produce the sugar molecules that become food for the plant.

Energy Conversion

According to Estrella Mountain Community College, the energy conversion activities involved in photosynthesis form a process called photophosphorylation where water molecules act as energy carriers. Once water electrons absorb light energy, this energy is transferred throughout a series of chemical pathways that ultimately produce ADP molecules. ADP contains phosphate molecules, which store acquired energy supplies inside their molecular bonds. The energy inside these phosphate bonds can then be used to manufacture sugar molecules and carry out essential metabolic activities.

Life Cycles

Through photosynthesis processes, plants manufacture the oxygen supplies needed for animal and human life. Through the breakdown of water molecules, oxygen is released as a by-product material. In turn, the carbon dioxide gases vital to photosynthesis processes are provided through animal and human respiration processes. According to InDepth Info, the ongoing exchange of gases between plants, animals and humans sustains the life cycle by enabling all life forms to manufacture needed energy and nutrient materials.

References

• Estrella Mountain Community College: Photosynthesis
• InDepth Info: Cellular Respiration

Resources

• Sambal's Science Web: Photosynthesis