Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. It involves light reactions and the Calvin cycle occurring within chloroplasts and is essential for the production of energy and carbon for other living things.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis is a crucial biological process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into glucose and oxygen. The reactants of photosynthesis include sunlight, carbon dioxide (CO2), and water (H2O). As the process concludes, the products released are oxygen (O2) and carbohydrates, usually in the form of glucose (C6H12O6). The chemical equation that represents this process is 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
The main structures involved in photosynthesis are chloroplasts, which are found in the cells of green plants and algae. Within these chloroplasts, the sub-processes of photosynthesis, including the light reactions and the Calvin cycle, help transform low-energy substrates into high-energy sugars that other living organisms use as fuel. The relevance of photosynthesis extends beyond plants as it supplies energy and energized carbon essential for the survival of other living things.