Photosynthesis is an example of a <u>chemical reaction.</u>
<h2>Further Explanation</h2><h3>Photosynthesis </h3>
- Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants make their own food using energy from sunlight, water and carbon (iv) oxide.
- Photosynthesis occurs during the day in organelles known as chloroplasts.
- Chloroplasts contains a special pigment known as chlorophyll which aids the process of photosynthesis by absorbing sunlight.
- Photosynthesis occurs in two stages;
<h3>Light dependent stage </h3>
- Light dependent stage is the first stage of photosynthesis which take place in the thylakoid membrane, use light energy to make ATP and NADPH.
- During this stage energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and is used to break down water molecules in a process called photolysis to hydrogen ions and oxygen. ATP and NADPH are generated during this process.
- Hydrogen ions are then taken to the next stage while oxygen gas is either used in cellular respiration or released to the atmosphere.
<h3>Light independent stage </h3>
- It is the second stage of photosynthesis that does not require sunlight. It occurs in the stroma part of the chloroplast and is also known as carbon dioxide fixation.
- During this stage hydrogen ions from the light dependent stage combines with carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle to from simple sugars such as glucose and fructose.
- The simple sugars formed are either used to generate energy for the plant or stored in form of starch.
- Photosynthesis is an example of a chemical reaction in which reactants carbon dioxide and water combine in presence of sunlight to generate product simple sugars.
The overall chemical equation is;
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Keywords: Photosynthesis, chemical reaction, chlorophyll, sunlight
<h3>Learn more about: </h3>
Level: High school
Subject: Biology
Topic: Nutrition in plants
Sub-topic: Photosynthesis
