Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants and certain other organisms convert light energy into chemical
energy is known as photosynthesis. Light energy is captured and used by green plants during
photosynthesis to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic
compounds.
The equation for photosynthesis can be defined as such: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
NOTE: When testing for photosynthesis using the iodine test, the leaf-in-question must have been
submerged in boiling water and ethyl alcohol prior to the test. This ensures that the enzymes which
convert starch to glucose become denatured, and that the wax and chlorophyll of the leaf are
removed; so that the iodine test can be conducted.
Also, most life on Earth depends on photosynthesis to survive. It is the process by which nearly all the
biosphere's energy is made available to living things. As primary producers, photosynthetic organisms
form the foundation of Earth's food webs and are consumed directly or indirectly by all higher life-
forms. Photosynthesis also accounts for nearly all the oxygen in the atmosphere. If photosynthesis
ceased, there would soon be little food or other organic matter on Earth, most organisms would become
extinct, and the Earth's atmosphere would become nearly devoid of gaseous oxygen.
The process by which green plants and certain other organisms convert light energy into chemical
energy is known as photosynthesis. Light energy is captured and used by green plants during
photosynthesis to convert water, carbon dioxide, and minerals into oxygen and energy-rich organic
compounds.
The equation for photosynthesis can be defined as such: 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
NOTE: When testing for photosynthesis using the iodine test, the leaf-in-question must have been
submerged in boiling water and ethyl alcohol prior to the test. This ensures that the enzymes which
convert starch to glucose become denatured, and that the wax and chlorophyll of the leaf are
removed; so that the iodine test can be conducted.
Also, most life on Earth depends on photosynthesis to survive. It is the process by which nearly all the
biosphere's energy is made available to living things. As primary producers, photosynthetic organisms
form the foundation of Earth's food webs and are consumed directly or indirectly by all higher life-
forms. Photosynthesis also accounts for nearly all the oxygen in the atmosphere. If photosynthesis
ceased, there would soon be little food or other organic matter on Earth, most organisms would become
extinct, and the Earth's atmosphere would become nearly devoid of gaseous oxygen.
