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The Importance of Photosynthesis in Life Processes

Photosynthesis is a process carried out by plants and some bacteria. Photosynthesis uses energy from sunlight to produce sugar, which is used in cellular respiration to provide energy. In plants, photosynthesis is the primary function of the leaves, in which a substance called chlorophyll absorbs light energy from the sun, as demonstrated by the Estrella Mountain Community College. Photosynthesis is essential for the continuation of all life on earth.

The Photosynthesis Equation
- The process of photosynthesis can be summarized by the following equation:
  
  6H20 + 6CO2 + energy from sunlight ' C6H12O6 + 6O2
  
  Water + Carbon Dioxide + energy from sunlight ' Glucose + Oxygen
  
  This reaction takes place in the chloroplasts within the plant leaves; the energy from sunlight is captured by the chlorophyll pigment. Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere via the stomata. The water is obtained by osmosis through the root hairs and is transported up to the leaves along the transpiration stream.
The Process of Photosynthesis
- Photosynthesis takes place over two stages: the light-dependent and the light-independent reactions. During the light-dependent reactions, energy absorbed from sunlight is used to split water in a photolysis reaction. Adensoine triphosphate (ATP) is also produced in a process called photophosphorylation. Additionally, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), a molecule used in the light-independent reactions, is produced. The light-independent reactions use energy and electrons produced by the light-dependent reactions to reduce carbon dioxide and convert it into glucose. This glucose is either stored as more complex carbohydrates or used in cellular respiration.
Energy
- Photosynthesis is important because it transfers energy into organic molecules and provides energy for all life. Without photosynthesis there would be no energy available for living organisms, and thus there would be no life. Plants and bacteria capture the light energy from the sun and it is then transferred across all living organisms along the food chain. In terms of plants, photosynthesis is essential as it enables the production of carbohydrates, which can be used to produce other organic molecules necessary for growth and repair, such as fats and proteins.
Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide
- Another important aspect of photosynthesis for life processes is the role photosynthetic organisms play in regulating the earth's atmosphere. Plants, for example, absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, which is used in the process of respiration by all animal life on Earth. Therefore, photosynthesis is essential for life on earth.

Nature