1. Sunlight Absorption: Plants have a green pigment called chlorophyll inside their leaves. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, primarily the red and blue wavelengths.
2. Water and Carbon Dioxide: Plants take in water through their roots and carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores called stomata on their leaves.
3. Chemical Reaction: Inside the chloroplasts (organelles within plant cells), the absorbed sunlight energy is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into glucose (sugar) and oxygen. This is a complex chemical reaction that requires energy.
4. Glucose Storage: The glucose produced is the plant's food source. It stores the energy captured from sunlight. Plants can use this glucose immediately for growth and other functions, or they can store it for later use. This stored energy is often found in the form of starch.
5. Oxygen Release: Oxygen, a byproduct of photosynthesis, is released into the atmosphere.
In summary: Plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create glucose (sugar) through photosynthesis. This glucose stores the energy captured from the sun, enabling plants to grow and thrive.
