CategoryHierarchies.com

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy in the form of glucose or other sugars. This process takes place in the chloroplasts, specifically in the thylakoid membrane where light-dependent reactions occur, and the stroma where light-independent reactions or Calvin cycle occurs. In the light-dependent reactions, water is split into oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons. The oxygen is released as a byproduct while the hydrogen ions and electrons are used to produce ATP and NADPH. In the light-independent reactions, ATP and NADPH are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, a process that requires the enzyme RuBisCO. Photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth as it provides food and oxygen for many organisms. It is also the primary process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere, making it an essential component of the global carbon cycle. In the context of plant physiology, photosynthesis is a vital process that allows plants to grow, develop, and reproduce. It is one of the many processes that occur within plants to maintain homeostasis and survive in their environment.