What is Photosynthesis?

Have you ever wondered how plants make their food? Unlike animals, plants can't eat other living things. Instead, they have a superpower – they can make their own food using sunlight! **Photosynthesis** comes from Greek words: - **Photo** = light - **Synthesis** = putting together So photosynthesis means "putting together with light." **The Simple Story:** Plants take three simple things: 1. **Sunlight** (energy from the sun) 2. **Water** (from the soil through roots) 3. **Carbon dioxide** (f...

The Photosynthesis Equation

**The Word Equation:** Carbon dioxide + Water + Sunlight → Glucose + Oxygen **The Chemical Equation:** 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ **What This Means:** - 6 molecules of carbon dioxide - Plus 6 molecules of water - Plus energy from sunlight - Produces 1 molecule of glucose - And 6 molecules of oxygen **Breaking It Down:** **Inputs (What goes in):** - 6 CO₂ (from air) - 6 H₂O (from soil) - Light (from sun) **Outputs (What comes out):** - 1 C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose/food) - 6 O₂ (oxygen...

The Magic of Photosynthesis

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