Photosynthesis is primarily carried out by plants, algae, and some bacteria. Here’s a breakdown of these organisms:
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Plants: Most green plants, including trees, shrubs, and flowering plants, perform photosynthesis primarily in their leaves, where chlorophyll (the green pigment) captures sunlight.
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Algae: These are a diverse group of photosynthetic organisms found in aquatic environments. They can be unicellular (like diatoms and dinoflagellates) or multicellular (like macroalgae or seaweeds).
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Cyanobacteria: Also known as blue-green algae, these bacteria are capable of photosynthesis and can be found in a variety of environments, including freshwater, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems.
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Some Protists: Certain protists, such as euglenoids, also have chloroplasts and can perform photosynthesis.
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Certain Bacteria: Besides cyanobacteria, some other types of bacteria can carry out photosynthesis, including green sulfur bacteria and purple bacteria.
Each of these groups utilizes sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, playing a crucial role in the Earth’s carbon cycle and producing oxygen as a byproduct.