Final answer:
Photosynthesis consists of two stages: the light-dependent reactions that convert solar energy into chemical energy and release oxygen, followed by the Calvin cycle, where this energy is used to synthesize glucose from carbon dioxide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Stages of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is a complex process that occurs in two main stages within the chloroplasts of plant cells. The first stage is the light-dependent reactions, which convert light energy into chemical energy. These reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts where sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, leading to the production of energy-rich molecules, ATP and NADPH, and also release oxygen as a byproduct.
The second stage is known as the Calvin cycle or light-independent reactions. These occur in the stroma of the chloroplasts where the energy stored in ATP and NADPH is used to fix carbon from carbon dioxide into organic molecules such as glucose. The Calvin cycle does not directly depend on light, but it relies on the ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions.
Together, these stages of photosynthesis are crucial for the survival of the plant and, by extension, for life on Earth, as they are responsible for producing the oxygen we breathe and the glucose that serves as an energy source for most organisms.