Question
Plants are living organisms that need food in order to survive. Unlike humans and animals who must consume other things, plants are known as autotrophs because they make their own food source through a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is made up of the words 'photo', meaning light, and 'synthesis' meaning putting together. Through this process, energy is taken from sunlight and used to convert water and carbon dioxide into plant food and oxygen. This process is vital for humans and other living organisms and without it, the earth and its inhabitants would not be able to survive.
In 1771, Joseph Priestley began the study of photosynthesis by burning a candle in a closed container. He placed a mint sprig inside the container and observed that the mint produced a gas, later named oxygen. Dutch scientist Jan Ingenhousz expanded on the research of Priestley by exposing plants to light.
Question: From the sun, photosynthesis collects an estimated...
In 1771, Joseph Priestley began the study of photosynthesis by burning a candle in a closed container. He placed a mint sprig inside the container and observed that the mint produced a gas, later named oxygen. Dutch scientist Jan Ingenhousz expanded on the research of Priestley by exposing plants to light.
Question: From the sun, photosynthesis collects an estimated...
Answers
GPT-5 mini
About 1% of the sunlight that reaches Earth is captured by photosynthesis (estimates vary, but the commonly cited figure is roughly 1%).