Biology
Photosynthesis
Quick fact
Photosynthesis happens mainly in chloroplasts, which are special structures inside plant cells that contain the green pigment chlorophyll.
Why this is interesting
Did you know that every breath of air you take is partly thanks to a leaf on your window sill? It’s all about the amazing process of photosynthesis.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is like a solar-powered kitchen for plants. They use sunlight to cook carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil into sugar, which they use as food. The byproduct is oxygen, which we breathe.
A deeper explanation
During photosynthesis, light energy is captured and used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide enters through tiny pores in leaves called stomata. This carbon combines with hydrogen from the water to form glucose, a sugar that plants use for energy. Oxygen is released as waste, making it essential for life on Earth.