Process by which plants make
carbohydrates from raw materials
using energy from light.
Light energy absorbed by chlorophyll - the
green substance inside chloroplasts.
Absorbed light energy changes
carbon dioxide and water into
glucose (a sugar).
Oxygen is released as a by-product.
carbon dioxide + water > glucose + oxygen
Some glucose is used for respiration,
while some is converted to insoluble
starch for storage. It can be turned
back to glucose for respiration if
needed.
Light intensity, carbon dioxide
concentration and temperate could limit
the rate of photosynthesis.