What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds, such as glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves a series of complex biochemical reactions.

The process of photosynthesis can be divided into two stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions. During the light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by pigments in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts, and this energy is used to produce ATP and NADPH, which are energy-rich molecules that will be used in the next stage. During the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, carbon dioxide is fixed into organic compounds, such as glucose, using the ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions.

Photosynthesis is an essential process for life on Earth, as it provides the energy and organic compounds needed by plants and other organisms to survive. It also produces oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere as a by-product of the light-dependent reactions.