Photosynthesis

What is Photosynthesis?

It’s a process through which plants create oxygen by using the sunlight, water, carbon dioxide which is essential for humans to survive. Generally, photosynthesis is a vital process helping plants to make their food and thus, survive on the planet. About science, it can be said that the process of photosynthesis is used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy through cellular respiration. The trapped sunlight further is used by the plants to convert water and carbon dioxide into a sugar known as glucose. This particular product is further used by plants for energy and making other substances including starch, cellulose, etc. It is widely known that photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast. Some common examples of photosynthetic organisms include plants(Major), some bacteria and algae, etc. 

The photosynthetic organisms based on oxygen requirement can be classified into two types- Oxygenic photosynthetic organisms, Anoxygenic photosynthetic organisms. Oxygenic photosynthetic occurs in plants, animals, and cyanobacteria where they produce oxygen as a product but Anoxygenic photosynthetic occurs in certain other bacterias which do not produce oxygen as a product.

Sites Of Photosynthesis: 

In plants, photosynthesis takes place in chloroplasts, which contain chlorophyll. Chloroplasts are surrounded by a double membrane and also contain an inner membrane, called the thylakoid membrane. 

Different Types Of Photosynthetic Pigments:

There are different types of photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll c, chlorophyll d, carotenoids, phycobilins, etc. Plants have these multiple pigments because these pigments allow the plant to complete the process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration to maximise the amount of energy they capture from the sun. Also, multiple pigments help plants to absorb different wavelengths of light.

Importance Of Chlorophyll:

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of the plant cell and the mesosomes of cyanobacteria. This green colour pigment can help in absorbing energy from sunlight. Generally, chlorophyll is the natural compound present in green plants. Chlorophyll is essential in producing sugar and oxygen. Finally, it can be said that chlorophyll plays a vital role in photosynthesis.

Process Of Photosynthesis:

The process of photosynthesis is categorised into the following events:

1) CO₂ and H₂O enter the leaf. 

2) The light hits the pigment in the membrane of a thylakoid and H₂O is split into O₂, H₊, and electrons. 

3) The electrons move down through the ETS, losing energy at every level 

4) When sunlight hits the second pigment molecule it allows the enzymes to convert ADP to ATP and NADP+ gets converted to NADPH 

5) The ATP and NADPH are used by the Calvin cycle as a power source for converting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into simpler glucose molecules. 

6) The Calvin cycle converts 3 molecules of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to glucose 

7) Finally the reduction of carbon dioxide into carbohydrates.

Study the photosynthesis diagrams to understand better the process of photosynthesis.

Calvin Cycle: 

It’s a process used by plants and algae to turn carbon dioxide obtained from air into sugar which is required by the autotrophs to grow. It’s a light-independent process and occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast.

Reactions Of Photosynthesis:

The photosynthesis reaction is commonly written as,

6CO2+6H2O—-C6H12O6+6O2

In this photosynthesis reaction, there are reactants and products. Reactants means which are on the left side. Products which are on the right side. So, 6 molecules of carbon dioxide and 6 molecules of water are converted to sugar and oxygen in the presence of light energy.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis:

The process of photosynthesis requires several factors to complete:

• LIGHT INTENSITY: Generally if there is increased light intensity, it results in a higher rate of photosynthesis and if there is a decreased light intensity, it results in a lower rate of photosynthesis.
• CONCENTRATION OF CO2: It is a well-known fact that the higher rate of carbon dioxide helps in increasing the rate of photosynthesis. If there is a low level of carbon dioxide it might decrease the level of photosynthesis.
• TEMPERATURE: Temperature is an important factor affecting photosynthesis. Usually, the required temperature is 25-35 degrees, in this range the rate of photosynthesis will be high.
• WATER: The need for water is high. Its deficiency can lead to problems in the intake of carbon dioxide, and also in the opening of stomata.
• POLLUTION: Pollutants from industries and other particles may settle on the leaf, blocking the pores of stomata making it difficult to uptake the carbon dioxide.

Importance Of Photosynthesis:

Photosynthesis acts as the major source of oxygen in the atmosphere. Without photosynthesis, the carbon cycle could not take place making it impossible for humans and other organisms to survive. It directly or indirectly affects not only the life of human beings, animals, birds, but also plants. It serves as the primary energy source for almost all trees and plants. Without photosynthesis, there would be no oxygen and thus, life on the planet. 

Conclusion:

It is with the help of the photosynthesis process that plants produce oxygen. Without proper processing of photosynthesis in the plants, there will be no production of oxygen and thus, without oxygen, there will be no human life. So, it is vital to protect plants by taking the initiative of planting trees in the area where they can access proper sunlight, nutrients from the soil, and a sufficient amount of water so that the process of photosynthesis can be completed efficiently leading to enough production of oxygen satisfying the human wants. This article will walk you through the process of photosynthesis in detail.