Explain the mechanism of photosynthesis.

The process of photosynthesis can be represented as:

The process of photosynthesis takes place in the green leaves of a plant. Plants need carbon dioxide and water for the process of photosynthesis. Plants take carbon dioxide from the air. Carbon dioxide enters the leaves through tiny pores present on the leaves’ surface called stomata. Plants take water from the soil through their roots by the process of osmosis. The xylem vessels then transport the water to the leaves where it reaches the chloroplast containing cells and is utilized in photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis takes place in the presence of sunlight. The sunlight provides energy required to carry out the chemical reactions involved in the preparation of food. This sunlight energy is absorbed by the green pigment called chlorophyll. The process of photosynthesis takes place in the following three steps:

• Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll

• Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.

• Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.