ELI5: photosynthesis
// explanation
What is photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is like a plant's special superpower to make its own food using sunlight [2][3]. Plants take in sunlight, water from the ground, and air, and turn them into sugar that the plant eats to grow big and strong [2][3].
Why does it happen?
Plants need energy to live and grow, just like you need to eat food for energy [2]. Instead of eating other things like animals do, plants use sunlight as their energy source to cook up their own food [3].
What happens when plants do photosynthesis?
When plants make their food, they also make oxygen as a bonus gift [1][3]. That's the air we breathe! So every time a plant does photosynthesis, it's actually helping us stay alive [1].
How is it important?
Photosynthesis is the ultimate source of energy for almost all life on Earth [4]. Without plants doing photosynthesis, there would be no oxygen for us to breathe and no food chains to support animals [4][5].
// sources
The term photosynthesis usually refers to oxygenic photosynthesis, a process that releases oxygen as a byproduct of water splitting. Photosynthetic organisms ...
Apr 12, 2017 ... Plants use sunlight, water, and the gases in the air to make glucose, which is a form of sugar that plants need to survive. This process is called ...
Feb 26, 2025 ... Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and energy in the form of sugar.
Photosynthesis is the ultimate source of metabolic energy for all biological systems. Photosynthesis takes place in two distinct stages.
Oct 5, 2015 ... Photosynthesis has been instrumental in the success of life on Earth, and life has had to adapt and evolve in the face of dramatic geological perturbations.
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