PHOTOSYNTHESIS An important process for all the life forms on the planet, photosynthesis primarily occurs in plants, algae and some species of bacteria, but indirectly helps all the organisms on the planet, including humans. The organisms which indulge in the process of photosynthesis to create their own food are known as photoautotrophs. Before we move on to step by step explanation of photosynthesis process, let's try to get a brief idea of this concept and its requirements. What is Photosynthesis? Photosynthesis is a process by which the plants convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds by using the energy derived from sunlight. The process is also referred to as carbon fixation process, owing to the fact that the process produces some carbon compounds which store chemical energy meant to be used in cell growth. Light, water, chlorophyll and carbon dioxide are the basic requirements for the photosynthesis process. Read more on importance of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis Process Step by Step Photosynthesis is a process by which photoautotrophs convert unusable sunlight energy into usable chemical energy. Here is a step by step explanation of photosynthesis process in plants.
Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enters the plant leaf through the stomates. The stomates are minute epidermal pores in the leaves and stem of the plants which facilitate the transfer of various gases and water vapor through them. This is followed by water entering the leaves, primarily through the roots. The roots are designed to draw in the ground water, and transport it to the leaves through the stem. As sunlight falls on the surface of the leaves, the chlorophyll present in the leaves traps the energy in it. Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in the plant leaf, which helps the plant in absorbing sunlight. The green color of the leaf is also attributed to presence of chlorophyll in it. Then hydrogen and oxygen are produced, as the products of photosynthesis, by converting water using the energy derived from the sun. The hydrogen is combined with carbon dioxide in order to make food for the plant, while oxygen is let out by the plant through the stomates. In the same manner, even the algae and bacteria which indulge in photosynthesis, use carbon dioxide and hydrogen to prepare food, while oxygen is let out as a waste product. The electrons from the chlorophyll molecules and the protons from the water molecules facilitate chemical reactions in the cell. These reactions produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate), provides energy for cellular reactions, and NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diphosphate), essential in plant metabolism.
The whole photosynthesis process can be explained by a single chemical formula: 6CO2 + 12H2O + Light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2+ 6H2O While we take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide to produce energy, plants take in carbon dioxide and give out oxygen to create energy.