What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food using sunlight. It occurs mainly in the leaves, inside specialized cell structures called chloroplasts that contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. This pigment captures light energy from the sun, which plants then use to convert carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food. The overall chemical reaction of photosynthesis can be summarized as: **6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂** This means plants take in carbon dioxide and water, and with the help of sunlight, produce glucose and release oxygen as a byproduct. The glucose provides energy and building material for the plant’s growth, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is essential for most living organisms on Earth. In short, photosynthesis is how plants transform light energy into chemical energy, enabling them to produce food and sustain themselves, while also supporting life on the planet by generating oxygen.

Photosynthesis is the natural process by which plants make their own food using sunlight. In this process, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil. Using energy from sunlight, they convert these raw materials into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as food and energy for the plant. Oxygen is produced as a byproduct and released into the atmosphere. This process mainly occurs in the leaves, within specialized cell structures called chloroplasts, which contain a green pigment called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll captures sunlight, enabling the chemical reactions that transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose. Photosynthesis is fundamental not only for plants but also for almost all life on Earth, as it provides the oxygen we breathe and forms the base of most food chains.