Question

What is photosynthesis?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is a complex chemical process of converting the energy of visible light (in some cases infrared radiation) into the energy of chemical bonds of organic substances with the participation of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll in plants, bacteriochlorophyll in bacteria and bacteriorhodopsin in archaea).

Answer 2

Ответ:

Photosynthesis is the process of converting carbon dioxide into oxygen by plants.

Answer 3

Photosynthesis is the biological process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. This process takes place in the chloroplasts, specialized structures within the cells of these organisms.

The primary raw materials required for photosynthesis are:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Absorbed from the atmosphere through small pores called stomata in the leaves (in plants) or other specialized structures (in algae and some bacteria).

2. Water (H2O): Absorbed from the soil by the roots (in plants) or directly from the environment (in algae and some bacteria).

The process of photosynthesis can be summarized in two main stages:

1. Light-Dependent Reactions:

   • Occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts.
   • Require sunlight as an energy source.
   • Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll (a green pigment) and other pigments, and it's used to split water molecules into oxygen, protons (H+ ions), and electrons.
   • The oxygen is released as a byproduct, and the protons and electrons are used in the next stage.

2. Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle):

   • Occur in the stroma of the chloroplasts.
   • Do not directly require light but rely on the products of the light-dependent reactions (ATP and NADPH, which carry energy and electrons, respectively).
   • Utilize carbon dioxide to synthesize organic molecules, primarily glucose (a type of sugar).
   • The energy from ATP and the electrons from NADPH are used to power the conversion of carbon dioxide into glucose.

The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis can be represented as:

6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

In words, carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, are converted into glucose and oxygen.

Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth as it is the process through which energy from the sun is captured and stored in the form of chemical bonds. This stored energy is then used by organisms for various metabolic processes, and it also forms the basis of the food chain, as photosynthetic organisms (autotrophs) are the primary producers of organic matter.