Photosynthesis

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants.
Click on image for full size version (153K JPEG)
Public domain image courtesy of wikipedia.org).

Photosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. It is a complex chemical process by which plants and other autotrophs create the energy needed for life.

The sugars made during photosynthesis are the food the plant uses for energy. Believe it or not, a single maple tree can make two tons of sugar on one good sunny day! (The Way Life Works, Hoagland and Dodson) That's a lot of sugar!

Photosynthesis of plants is very important. It also makes the oxygen you and all animals need to breathe.

The reverse process of photosynthesis is known as respiration.

Learn about other life (fungi, animals, bacteria)

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Last modified October 24, 2008 by Lisa Gardiner.
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Photosynthesis

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants. Click on image for full size version (153K JPEG) Public domain image courtesy of wikipedia.org).

The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants.
Click on image for full size version (153K JPEG)
Public domain image courtesy of wikipedia.org).