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Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored mainly in carbohydrates.
Photosynthesis is the biological process by which plants, algae, cyanobacteria, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. In oxygenic photosynthesis, light energy is absorbed by pigments such as chlorophyll, water is split to release oxygen, and the resulting electrons help produce ATP and NADPH. These energy-rich molecules are then used to convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into carbohydrates, including glucose, starch, sucrose, and cellulose. The stored chemical energy supports the organism’s metabolism and provides energy to other organisms through food chains. Photosynthesis occurs in two major stages. Light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and use photosystems, electron transport chains, proton gradients, and ATP synthase to produce ATP and NADPH. Light-independent reactions, primarily the Calvin cycle, occur in the chloroplast stroma and use ATP and NADPH to fix carbon dioxide into three-carbon sugars that are later formed into carbohydrates and other organic molecules. Some organisms perform anoxygenic photosynthesis, using electron donors such as hydrogen sulfide instead of water and producing sulfur rather than oxygen. Photosynthesis is essential for Earth’s oxygen supply, global carbon cycling, and the energy needs of complex life.
Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored mainly in carbohydrates.
Oxygenic photosynthesis uses water as an electron donor and releases oxygen as a byproduct.
Light-dependent reactions produce ATP and NADPH through photosystems, electron transport, proton gradients, and photophosphorylation.
The Calvin cycle uses ATP and NADPH to fix carbon dioxide into sugars and other organic compounds.
In plants and algae, photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, especially in the thylakoid membranes and stroma.
Anoxygenic photosynthesis occurs in some bacteria and archaea and does not release oxygen.
Photosynthesis is crucial for atmospheric oxygen, carbon fixation, biomass production, and energy flow through ecosystems.
A biological process that converts light energy into chemical energy used to build organic compounds.
Photosynthesis that splits water and releases molecular oxygen as a byproduct.
Photosynthesis that uses electron donors other than water and does not produce molecular oxygen.
A plant and algal organelle containing the membranes and pigments needed for photosynthesis.
A green photosynthetic pigment that absorbs mainly red and blue light.
Reactions that use light energy to produce ATP and NADPH while releasing oxygen in oxygenic photosynthesis.
A sequence of light-independent reactions that uses ATP and NADPH to fix carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.
The incorporation of inorganic carbon dioxide into organic molecules.
A molecule that stores and transfers usable chemical energy in cells.
A reducing agent produced by light reactions and used to help convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.
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