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  1. Glossary
  2. /Biology
  3. /Photosynthesis

What is Photosynthesis?

In short

Photosynthesis is the process in which green plants, algae and some bacteria use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, and release oxygen.

In simple words

The overall equation is 6 CO2+6 H2O→light, chlorophyllC6H12O6+6 O26\,\text{CO}_2 + 6\,\text{H}_2\text{O} \xrightarrow{\text{light, chlorophyll}} \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\,\text{O}_26CO2​+6H2​Olight, chlorophyll​C6​H12​O6​+6O2​. It happens in the chloroplasts, mainly in leaves. The light reactions make ATP and NADPH and release oxygen from water. The Calvin cycle uses them to turn carbon dioxide into sugar. The glucose is used in respiration or stored as starch.

Example

A water plant such as Hydrilla placed in sunlight gives off bubbles of oxygen. In the dark, no bubbles come from the plant.

Learn it properly

  • Lessons on this topic
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Related terms

  • Cellular Respiration
  • Parts of a Cell (Organelles)
  • Algae

← All glossary terms

Learn it in

  1. What Photosynthesis Is and Where It HappensClass 11 to 12
  2. The Light ReactionsClass 11 to 12
  3. The Calvin Cycle, C4 Plants and Limiting FactorsClass 11 to 12
All lessons on this topic →

Practise

  1. A student measured the rate of photosynthesis of a leaf at five light intensities…Hard
A model leaf has a rate equal to the smaller of two numbers…Medium
  • On a hot, dry afternoon, the stomata of a wheat leaf close…Medium
  • Three plants are studied. Plant X: the first stable product is a 3-carbon compound…Medium
    • All problems on this topic →

    Quick questions

    1. Statement I: C4 plants have a higher temperature optimum than C3 plants. Statement II…Hard
    2. A leaf is in strong light, and its photosynthesis does not rise when the light is made…Hard
    3. Which statement about photorespiration is correct?Hard

    More Biology terms

    1. Bacteria
    2. Binomial Nomenclature
    3. Cell
    4. Diffusion and Osmosis
    5. DNA
    6. Ecosystem
    All Biology terms →

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