Photosynthesis is the process by which all autotrophic organisms (plants) use light energy (or photon), 6CO2, and 6H2O to make C6H12O6 (glucose) and 6O2. Autotrophic simply means that the organism is self-feeding, or produces its own food.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O (in the presence of light energy and chlorophyll) ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2
In this reaction, 6CO2 + 6H2O are the reactants; and C6H12O6 + 6O2 are the products. 6O2 is the waste product of this reaction.
The primary function of photosynthesis is to produce glucose (C6H12O6).
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts, in small disc-shaped thylakoids.
Three interesting facts about photosynthesis:
- Photosynthesis has two stages: a light dependent (requiring light) stage, and a light independent (not requiring light) stage. During the light dependent (also called light reaction) stage, light energy from the sun is used to split H2O and release O2. During the light independent (also called dark reaction) stage, carbon fixation coverts carbon from CO2, to C6H12O6. It takes 6 molecules of CO2 to make one molecule of C6H12O6.
- Photosynthesis is the most important chemical process on Earth. It gives us animals access to the sun's energy in order to fuel our bodies.
- Most chlorophyll molecules and some plant pigments act as antennae that receive and absorb light energy from the sun.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O (in the presence of light energy and chlorophyll) ---> C6H12O6 + 6O2
In this reaction, 6CO2 + 6H2O are the reactants; and C6H12O6 + 6O2 are the products. 6O2 is the waste product of this reaction.
The primary function of photosynthesis is to produce glucose (C6H12O6).
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts, in small disc-shaped thylakoids.
Three interesting facts about photosynthesis:
- Photosynthesis has two stages: a light dependent (requiring light) stage, and a light independent (not requiring light) stage. During the light dependent (also called light reaction) stage, light energy from the sun is used to split H2O and release O2. During the light independent (also called dark reaction) stage, carbon fixation coverts carbon from CO2, to C6H12O6. It takes 6 molecules of CO2 to make one molecule of C6H12O6.
- Photosynthesis is the most important chemical process on Earth. It gives us animals access to the sun's energy in order to fuel our bodies.
- Most chlorophyll molecules and some plant pigments act as antennae that receive and absorb light energy from the sun.