Biology
Photosynthesis in Ecosystems
Quick fact
Plants use photosynthesis to create their own food, releasing oxygen as a byproduct—something we all rely on for breathing.
Why this is interesting
Did you know that nearly all living things depend on a single process to survive? It starts with sunlight and ends with life.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Photosynthesis in Ecosystems
Photosynthesis is the way plants 'make' food using sunlight. They take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil, then use sunlight to turn these into sugar (food) and oxygen. This process forms the basis of almost every ecosystem.
A deeper explanation
In photosynthesis, chlorophyll—a green pigment in plant cells—absorbs sunlight. The energy from this light is used to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere enters the leaves through tiny pores called stomata. The hydrogen combines with carbon dioxide to form glucose, a sugar that plants use for energy and growth. Oxygen is released as waste into the air. This process not only sustains plant life but also provides oxygen and food for nearly all other organisms in an ecosystem.