1. Capturing Sunlight:
* Plants have special cells called chloroplasts that contain a green pigment called chlorophyll.
* Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, specifically the red and blue wavelengths, while reflecting green light (which is why plants appear green).
2. Absorbing Carbon Dioxide:
* Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata.
3. Obtaining Water:
* Plants absorb water from the soil through their roots.
4. The Chemical Reaction:
* Inside the chloroplasts, chlorophyll uses the energy from sunlight to convert water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose (C6H12O6), a type of sugar that is the plant's food.
* This chemical reaction also releases oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.
Simplified Equation:
Sunlight + CO2 + H2O → C6H12O6 + O2
What happens to the glucose?
* The plant uses glucose as fuel for growth, repair, and other life processes.
* Excess glucose is stored as starch, which can be broken down later for energy.
Key points to remember:
* Photosynthesis is essential for all life on Earth, as it produces the oxygen we breathe and the food that fuels our food chains.
* Plants are called autotrophs because they can make their own food.
* Animals, on the other hand, are heterotrophs and must consume other organisms for food.
