Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process through which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, producing glucose and releasing oxygen. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, initiating the transformation of carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates, with oxygen as a byproduct. The energy captured by photosynthesis is crucial for life on Earth, directly or indirectly supporting most living organisms.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and certain bacteria capture light energy and convert it into chemical energy in the form of glucose, which is an organic molecule like starch. This process is vital for the survival of life on Earth as it provides the foundation of the food chain, produces oxygen for living organisms to breathe, and removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Chlorophyll is the pigment in plants that absorbs light, primarily from the sun, and initiates the photosynthesis process. During this process, carbon dioxide and water combine using solar energy to produce glucose, a simple sugar represented by the formula C6H12O6, and oxygen is released as a byproduct.
The general chemical equation for photosynthesis is represented as:
6CO2 + 6H2O + Light Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Organisms that carry out photosynthesis are known as photoautotrophs, including plants and certain types of bacteria. In eukaryotic organisms like plants, photosynthesis occurs within specialized organelles called chloroplasts where starch is accumulated. In simpler organisms such as cyanobacteria, photosynthesis takes place in less localized areas such as folded membranes.