1.5.2

Photosynthesis

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Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is one of the most important processes on the planet. It is how light energy from the Sun is harnessed and enters our food chains. Without it, there would not be life as we know it on Earth.

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What is photosynthesis?

  • Photosynthesis is how plants produce some of the nutrients they need to survive.
  • The equation for photosynthesis is:
    • Carbon dioxide + water → oxygen + glucose
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Energy entering the food system

  • Photosynthesis is an important process because it is the means by which energy can enter a food chain.
  • Plants harness the energy from the Sun and store it chemically in their own tissues.
  • When these plants are eaten by animals, they take that chemical energy and use it to live and store it themselves.
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Oxygen

  • Oxygen is vital because life on earth needs oxygen, and oxygen is a product of photosynthesis.
    • Without the photosynthetic life, the atmosphere would not be habitable for life as we know it.
  • All the oxygen in our atmosphere was originally released by photosynthesis.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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