What is Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a process of taking inroganic material to make new organic matter through the combining of carbon dioxide and water using solar energy. This process only occurs in green plants, blue-green algae, and certain bacteria.




Plants capture light energy and make their own food using it. The process of photosynthesis is what allows the plants to make their own food. Photosynthesis allows the chlorophyll inside each leaf to capture energy. The captured energy is used to build carbohydrates from simple raw materials. (water, carbon dioxide and minerals) These carbohydrates, also known as sugar, are the plants food. The plant uses some of the sugar, but also stores some. Photosynthesis also needs the following raw materials to function: carbon, oxygen and hydrogen. Animals breath out carbon dioxide, so this gives the plants oxygen and carbon. Plants receive the hydrogen through water. The materials enter the plant either at the roots or the leaves.