0What is Photosynthesis?
The word photosynthesis can be separated to make two smaller words:"Photo" is the Greek word for "Light," and "synthesis," is the Greek word for "putting together”. You may have noticed that all animals and humans eat food, but plants don't eat anything. Photosynthesis is how plants eat.
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants make their own food.
To make food plants need:
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Sunlight
Photosynthesis takes place in the leaves of plants. The leaves are made up of very small cells. Inside these cells are tiny structures called chloroplasts. Each chloroplast contains a green chemical called chlorophyll which gives leaves their green colour.
- Chlorophyll absorbs the sun’s energy.
- It is this energy that is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
- Oxygen is released from the leaves into the atmosphere.
- Hydrogen and carbon dioxide are used to form glucose or food for plants.
Here's what photosynthesis looks like:
Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light ----> Sugar + Oxygen
Some of the glucose is used to provide energy for the growth and development of plants while the rest is stored in leaves, roots or fruits for later use by plants.
