Final answer:
Photosynthesis is the process of converting light energy from the sun into chemical energy to create glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. It's a multi-step reaction essential for the survival of plants and other autotrophic organisms, and is the basis of the food chain.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of sunlight energy to build sugars is known as photosynthesis. This vital biological process involves the transformation of light energy into chemical energy, which is then utilized to synthesize carbohydrates. Photosynthesis occurs in a series of steps where plants, algae, and some bacteria harness sunlight to convert water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂).
The general equation representing this process is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂. Here, photosynthesis uses solar energy, CO₂, and H₂O to release oxygen and produce energy-storing sugar molecules. Not only is this process essential for the organism performing it, but it also forms the basis of the food chain by providing the essential nutrients needed by other organisms.
During photosynthesis, energy is stored in the form of a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the primary energy currency of all cells. Photosynthesis is the primary means through which the energy of sunlight is captured and stored for use by all living things, either directly or indirectly through the consumption of plant materials. Therefore, it can be viewed as the foundation of life on Earth.