Environmental Science
Photosynthesis and Carbon Cycle
Quick fact
Plants produce about half of the Earth's oxygen through photosynthesis.
Why this is interesting
Did you know that the air we breathe and the food we eat are connected through a hidden cycle? It all starts with plants and sunlight.
Read the full explanation
Understanding Photosynthesis and Carbon Cycle
Photosynthesis is how plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create sugar and oxygen. The carbon cycle moves carbon between living organisms and the environment through processes like respiration, decomposition, and fossil fuel formation.
A deeper explanation
Photosynthesis captures solar energy and stores it in glucose molecules, while the carbon cycle transfers carbon among the atmosphere, oceans, soil, and organisms. These systems are interconnected: plants take in CO2, release O2, and form organic matter that supports life. The balance of these processes is critical for maintaining Earth's climate and sustaining ecosystems.