Photosynthesis
The process where plants use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen.
Last updated
Analogy
A kitchen that turns sunlight, air and water into sugar.
Example
carbon dioxide + water(light energy, chlorophyll)-> glucose + oxygen
In practice
Leaves make the sugar that the plant uses to grow and to store as starch.
Practice
Flashcards
- Write the word equation for photosynthesis.Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen, using light energy.
- Name three limiting factors of photosynthesis.Light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature.
Questions people ask
Where does photosynthesis take place?
It takes place in chloroplasts, which are most plentiful in the palisade cells near the top of a leaf. These cells are packed with chloroplasts and sit where they catch the most light. The chlorophyll inside absorbs light energy so the plant can build glucose.
What does a plant do with the glucose it makes?
The plant uses glucose for respiration to release energy. It also converts glucose into starch for storage, cellulose for cell walls, fats and oils for seeds, and proteins using nitrates taken from the soil. Sugars can be moved around the plant to where they are needed.