Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants prepare food (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll, releasing oxygen as a by-product.
Carbon Dioxide + Water --(Sunlight, Chlorophyll)--> Glucose + Oxygen
6CO₂ + 6H₂O --(Sunlight, Chlorophyll)--> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
- Sunlight – provides energy.
- Chlorophyll – green pigment in leaves that absorbs sunlight.
- Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – taken from the air through stomata.
- Water (H₂O) – absorbed by roots from the soil.
- Produces food for plants.
- Releases oxygen needed by living organisms.
- Forms the base of most food chains.
- Helps maintain the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
Plants act like natural food factories. They take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using sunlight captured by chlorophyll, they convert these into food (glucose) and release oxygen into the atmosphere.
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make their food from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight and chlorophyll, releasing oxygen.