Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food. It is pivotal to the lives of plants.
The Process of Photosynthesis
Photons of light energy from the sun hit the chloroplasts of a plant cell.
light dependent reaction
A chemical inside the chloroplasts called chlorophyll absorbs the photons of energy.
Oxygen
Water molecules that are absorbed from the roots and transferred into the leaves are split by the photons. Hydrogen stays in the chloroplasts while Oxygen exits the plant through the air.
ATP and NADPH are also created in this reaction
Hydrogen
Light Independent Reaction
CarbonDioxide
Carbon Dioxide enters the plant through tiny pores called stomata.
Hydrogen
More Oxygen exits the plant as well.
carbon dioxide
Oxygen
hydrogen
Carbon Dioxide combines with Hydrogen using the ATP and NADPH to create Glucose.
Glucose
plantcell
animalcell
these two processes work to power the growth, movement, and functions of all organisms and their cells. Photosynthesis converts solar energy to stored chemical energy, and cellular respiration converts stored chemical energy to ATP, an energy molecule used directly by the cell.