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Photosynthesis



A rosebush named Heaven.
Click on image for full size version (80K GIF)
Image courtesy of C.Alexander

Photosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen.


It is a complex chemical process by which plants and other autotrophs create the energy needed for biological life. The equation above shows the production of CH2O (formaldehyde), only one of the many carbohydrates that actually form. The reverse process, used by animal life and other heterotrophs, is known as respiration.

Early bacteria converted solar energy by a different photosynthetic reaction, one which requires an anaerobic environment (one without oxygen), but which produces water as a waste product. The photosynthetic activity of this early bacteria was an interim step in building the oxygen content of Earth's early atmosphere.



Photosynthesis



A rosebush named Heaven.
Click on image for full size version (80K GIF)
Image courtesy of C.Alexander

Photosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. It is a complex chemical process by which plants and other autotrophs create the energy needed for life. The reverse process, used by animal life and other heterotrophs, is known as respiration.

If it weren't for the photosynthetic activity of early bacteria, Earth's atmosphere would still be without oxygen and the appearance of oxygen-dependent animals, including humans, would never have occurred!



Photosynthesis



A rosebush named Heaven.
Click on image for full size version (80K GIF)
Image courtesy of C.Alexander

Photosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. The reverse process, used by animal life and other heterotrophs, is known as respiration.

If it weren't for the photosynthetic activity of early bacteria, Earth's atmosphere would still be without oxygen and the appearance of oxygen-dependent animals, including humans, would never have occurred!





Last modified December 15, 1998 by the Windows Team

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