A Simple, Detailed Explanation of Photosynthesis
Plants are self-sustaining organisms. They make and store their own food by a process called photosynthesis. This ability has allowed plants to successfully populate both land and water environments.
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Definition
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Photosynthesis allows plants to combine the energy from sunlight with water and carbon dioxide and convert these materials to sugars and oxygen.
Chlorophyll
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Chlorophyll is a green chemical found in plant cells that allows the plant to absorb sunlight and is the key to photosynthesis. This process takes place in the leaves.
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Light
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Natural sunlight is the preferred light and energy source, though it is possible for photosynthesis to occur quite effectively under the right artificial light conditions.
Carbon Dioxide
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Carbon dioxide is taken from the air through tiny holes in the plant's leaves called stomata. The carbon and oxygen molecules are used to make sugars or glucose during the process of photosynthesis.
Water
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Plants use large amounts of water for photosynthesis. This is drawn up from the roots by the xylem cells, or to a lesser extent, made inside the leaves. Water contributes hydrogen, as well as more oxygen to the production of sugars.
Products
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Sugars are transported to all the parts of the plants via the phloem cells. Sugars not used for immediate energy needs are converted to starches and stored within the plant. Excess oxygen, a waste product of photosynthesis, is released back into the air via the stomata.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Robert S. Donovan
