Written Report

Topic: Introduction of Photosynthesis

Sub. To: Prof. Ruthela Payawal

Sub. By: Platero, Emily S.

What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a process by which the plants convert carbon dioxide into organic
compounds by using the energy derived from sunlight. The process is also referred to as
carbon fixation process, owing to the fact that the process produces some carbon
compounds which store chemical energy meant to be used in cell growth. Light, water,
chlorophyll and carbon dioxide are the basic requirements for the photosynthesis process.
Read more on importance of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis Process Step by Step

Photosynthesis is a process by which photoautotrophs convert unusable sunlight energy

into usable chemical energy. Here is a step by step explanation of photosynthesis process
in plants.

• Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere enters the plant leaf through the stomates. The
stomates are minute epidermal pores in the leaves and stem of the plants which
facilitate the transfer of various gases and water vapor through them.

• This is followed by water entering the leaves, primarily through the roots. The
roots are designed to draw in the ground water, and transport it to the leaves
through the stem.

• As sunlight falls on the surface of the leaves, the chlorophyll present in the leaves
traps the energy in it. Chlorophyll is a green pigment present in the plant leaf,
which helps the plant in absorbing sunlight. The green color of the leaf is also
attributed to presence of chlorophyll in it.

• Then hydrogen and oxygen are produced, as the products of photosynthesis, by

converting water using the energy derived from the sun. The hydrogen is
combined with carbon dioxide in order to make food for the plant, while oxygen
is let out by the plant through the stomates.
 • The electrons from the chlorophyll molecules and the protons from the water
molecules facilitate chemical reactions in the cell. These reactions produce ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), provides energy for cellular reactions, and NADP
(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diphosphate), essential in plant metabolism.

The whole photosynthesis process can be explained by a single chemical formula:

6CO2 + 12H2O + Light -> C6H12O6 + 6O2+ 6H2O
While we take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide to produce energy, plants take in
carbon dioxide and give out oxygen to create energy. Read more on steps of
photosynthesis.

This was a brief explanation of photosynthesis process, one of the most vital mechanisms
the plant growth process. Photosynthesis has several benefits, not just for the
photoautotrophs, but for humans and animals as well. It helps in maintaining a normal
level of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Almost all the oxygen present in
the atmosphere can be attributed to the process of photosynthesis, which also means that
respiration and photosynthesis go together. The chemical energy stored in plants is
transferred to animal and humans when they consume plant matter.

What is Photosynthesis?

Before knowing the importance of Photosynthesis and its impact on our life and earth, we
first need to know what Photosynthesis is.The simplest way to understand what
photosynthesis is would be to know that it refers to the process of producing and
releasing oxygen in the air. Photosynthesis is performed by the plants to produce their
own food. The process of Photosynthesis requires direct sunlight, carbon-dioxide and
water (H2O). In the process of Photosynthesis, the plants decompose the molecules of
hydrogen and carbon-dioxide into hydrogen, carbon and oxygen to produce glucose
which forms the source of their energy, growth and food. This involves the conversion of
stored energy of the sunlight, water and carbon-dioxide into glucose which is an organic
compound and release oxygen in the process.

Products of Photosynthesis

The primary product of Photosynthesis is Glucose which is the source of carbohydrates

like cellulose, starches etc. The process of Photosynthesis also produces fats, proteins,
water soluble sugars such as maltose and sucrose. The plants depend on this glucose for
their growth and energy.

All the living creatures on the earth depend on fats, proteins and carbohydrates to derive
their basic source of energy and thus have a direct dependence on the process of
Photosynthesis for their survival.

Photosynthesis and Respiration

The importance of Photosynthesis can be understood with respect to our breathing
process. The breathing process keeps us alive and Photosynthesis provides us oxygen to
breathe in.
The process of Photosynthesis and Respiration are inter-related and serve one another.
While Photosynthesis requires carbon-dioxide and releases oxygen to produce glucose,
Respiration needs oxygen while inhaling and releases carbon-dioxide while exhaling.

Photosynthesis happens during the day time when the sun shines because the plants
require sunlight to produce energy. On the other hand Respiration happens all the time as
long as a living creature is alive.

However, unlike other living creatures, the plants breathe once in a day. During night,
when there is no sunlight, the stomata (pores through which sunlight and carbon-dioxide
enter the leaves) are closed and the leaves breathe releasing carbon-dioxide in the air.

Photosynthesis and Environment

The level of carbon-dioxide in the environment largely depends on the process of

Photosynthesis. The process of Photosynthesis again depends on the number of plants
and trees we have. Excessive increase or decrease in the level of carbon-dioxide can
bring forth disastrous results on the planet earth.

Industrial revolutions and technical progress have led to too many factories, production
houses, buildings, roads etc thereby increasing the use of fuel and release of industrial
waste and carbon-dioxide which can be very harmful for the environment.

Just the way, an increase in the carbon-dioxide level may harm the environment;
similarly decrease in the level may cause the planet to freeze as CO2 helps in keeping our
planet warm and live-able. Photosynthesis helps in maintaining the balance of the carbon-
dioxide level in nature by taking in CO2 in the day time (and simultaneously supplying
oxygen for other living beings) and breathing it out in the night.

Photosynthesis and Life

Photosynthesis is directly related to the life and survival of all the other living creatures
on earth. It not just supplies oxygen without which breathing and being alive would be
difficult, but it also supplies food and energy to all.

Among all the living organisms on planet earth only plants are capable of producing their
own food and deriving energy from it. No other living creature can produce their food
and thus, depend on plants or other creatures which feed on plants to survive. Therefore,
by producing energy the plants supply all the necessary nutrients and energy directly
and/or indirectly to the other living creatures. The production of this energy is possible
through Photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis plays a vital role in regulating the life cycle on earth. Now you may
realize the importance of Photosynthesis every time you breathe in and out and take a
look at the plants at your backyard or neighborhood or front garden. The sunlight, water
and the plants work together to supply the raw source of energy to us and help us breathe
in oxygen to live on. Life without Photosynthesis, would, thus be impossible.