Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose (a simple sugar) and oxygen. This process involves several reactants and reactions.
The reactants of photosynthesis include:
1. Sunlight: Sunlight is the primary source of energy for photosynthesis. Plants capture sunlight through pigments such as chlorophyll, located in their leaves and chloroplasts.
2. Carbon dioxide (CO2): Plants extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny openings called stomata on their leaves. CO2 is an essential component for the production of glucose.
3. Water (H2O): Plants absorb water through their roots and transport it to the leaves. Water is used as a source of hydrogen (H) during the process of photosynthesis.
The reactions involved in photosynthesis are:
1. Light-dependent reactions: These reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts. Sunlight is used to excite electrons in chlorophyll molecules, initiating a series of reactions known as the electron transport chain. During this process, water molecules are split into oxygen, releasing electrons and protons.
2. Calvin cycle (aka light-independent reactions or dark reactions): These reactions take place in the stroma (fluid-filled space) of the chloroplasts. The ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) produced in the light-dependent reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose through a series of enzymatic reactions. This is known as carbon fixation.
In summary, photosynthesis is a complex process that utilizes sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The reactants (sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water) undergo a series of reactions (light-dependent and light-independent reactions) to generate the essential energy-rich molecules plants need for growth and development.
Photosynthesis is the reactants reaction by which plants produce complex food modules
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