Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the necessary process for the life process of animals and plants. Green plants prepare their food by themselves. Green plants make their food in the presence of CO₂, water, and sunlight. The food prepared by the green plant is called carbohydrate and process of making food are called photosynthesis. Green plants take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere absorbs water from the soil through roots and trap solar energy to manufacture their food carbohydrate.

The whole process can be summarized as

Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen

6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

During photosynthesis, oxygen is given out. Since green plant makes their food by themselves, they are also called autotrophs.

Essential raw materials for photosynthesis

1. Carbon dioxide (CO₂)

   The main source of this gas is the atmosphere, which consists 0.03% of 0.04% of the atmosphere. Water plants take CO₂ dissolved in water. During respiration, CO₂ is released by animals and plants. Plants are capable of utilizing this CO₂, in addition to atmospheric CO₂ for the purpose of making their food. During daytime, when light is available, plants fix the CO₂ in photosynthesis.

2. Water (H₂O)

   Plants absorb water from the soil by their root hairs. This water is then transported up to the stem and leaves through the xylem. Along with water, many minerals dissolved in water are also absorbed by the plants. Water plants absorb water through their general surface.

3. Chlorophyll

   Chlorophyll is the photosynthetic apparatus in which photosynthesis occurs. They are located in green parts of a plant particularly in the chloroplast of a leaf. This chlorophyll is present in small bodies called chloroplasts which help to trap solar energy and converts into chemical energy. The green leaves of plants are photosynthetic organs of plants. Only those cells are able to carry out photosynthesis which has chloroplasts.

4. Light

   Light is very important for photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, the light energy changed into potential chemical energy. Sun is the only main natural source of light energy. Artificial light is also effective in photosynthesis, but this light should be intensive. Only green plants are capable of utilizing this light energy.

   The rate of photosynthesis is affected both by quality as well as the quantity of light. In red color of light, the rate of photosynthesis is maximum and in light of green color, there is no photosynthesis

Significance of Photosynthesis

1. It is the important source of energy for all living organisms, both producers and consumers. It is essential for sustaining life.
2. It helps in the growth and development of plants.
3. It is necessary for the synthesis of many organic compounds used by man and other animals.
4. It converts atmospheric CO₂ back to oxygen.