Question

Explain the process of synthesis of food in green plants.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis:

1. Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants turn carbon dioxide and water into food using energy from sunlight.
2. This process requires the presence of water, sunlight, ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ gas, and chlorophyll.
3. Chlorophyll is a natural compound present in the leaves(mostly) of all green plants and helps plants to absorb sunlight(light energy).
4. Plants intake water from the soil and ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ from the air.
5. Photosynthesis is performed only through leaves.
6. Thus, plants are known as producers and form the first trophic level of the ecosystem.

Steps taking place during photosynthesis:

1. Chlorophyll absorbs sunlight in the form of light energy.
2. The light energy is converted to chemical energy, by splitting the water molecule into their corresponding components(hydrogen and oxygen).
3. Conversion of ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ into carbohydrates (glucose) under the presence of hydrogen and glucose.

Equation of photosynthesis:

$6{\mathrm{CO}}_2$ $+6H_{2}O$ $\underset{\mathrm{chlorophyll}}{\overset{\mathrm{sunlight}}{\to }}$ $C_6{H}_{12}{O}_6$ $+6{\mathrm{O}}_2$