Written by Dhruv Girish
Do you ever wonder how plants make their energy? Plants do not have mouths to eat, so how do they get their energy? Well, the answer is simple; photosynthesis. This is the process that plants and other organisms exercise to convert light energy to chemical energy. What's special about photosynthesis is that there are actually many benefits to us as humans; during photosynthesis, oxygen is created as a waste product, which in return we take in as we breathe.
Photosynthesis occurs in the leaves of a plant. The leaves act as a sunlight absorber taking in all of the rays and converting them into chemical energy. The leaves are filled with a green color pigment that is called chlorophyll, which is known for taking the sunlight and converting it to energy for the plant to use. Chlorophyll can be found in the leaf's chloroplast - which is an important organelle. Its main purpose is to hold the chlorophyll responsible for photosynthesis, and capture sunlight and store it as energy (in forms such as ATP and NADP - two important chemical compounds). The leaves then take the sunlight and process it like a powerplant into usable energy.
However, the plant needs a couple more materials than just Sunlight, such as carbon dioxide and water.
Carbon dioxide is also more commonly known as CO2 and is present in the air all around us. Plants need carbon dioxide just like humans need oxygen. Leaves of the plant collect the CO2 through several tiny holes present on the leaves called stomata (as seen in the picture above). During this process of respiration, the plants expel oxygen, which are inhaled by other organisms such as animals. Finally, the last piece of the puzzle is water, which helps to nourish the plant and to keep it alive. The water is sucked up by the roots, which you can think of like a straw. We can take this process and put it into an equation which we can use to represent the process.
The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 12H2O + Sunlight = C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O. This means that there are 6 carbon dioxide molecules with 12 water molecules plus sunlight produces glucose, which is also known as the food of the plants (more commonly known as sugar). Some other products are oxygen and 6 water molecules. Another way this can be written in simpler terms can be Carbon Dioxide + Water + Sunlight = Glucose + Oxygen.
Why is studying photosynthesis important?
First off, it can help farmers grow more food and understand the science behind a living plant. For example, how it makes energy. Additionally, scientists can learn more about how plants grow and they can apply that knowledge to food production and Horticulture (the art or practice of garden cultivation and management). Next time you go outside, look at a plant and think about the amazing work it does to keep itself alive!
Sources
Admin. (2018, November 04). What is photosynthesis for kids facts & information. Retrieved February 06, 2021, from https://www.activewild.com/what-is-photosynthesis-forkids/#:~:text=Photosynthesis%20Facts%20For%20Kids%201%20Photosynthesis%20is%20the,are%20also%20needed%20for%20photosynthesis.%20More%20items...%20
Basics of photosynthesis. (n.d.). Retrieved February 06, 2021, from https://www.pthorticulture.com/en/training-center/basics-of-photosynthesis/
Horticulture. (2021, January 30). Retrieved February 06, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horticulture
Photosynthesis. (2021, February 01). Retrieved February 06, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
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