The leaf is the primary site of photosynthesis in plants.
Click on image for full size
Image has been released into public domain (found on wikipedia.org).
Photosynthesis
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 sugars made during photosynthesis are the food the plant uses for energy. Believe it or not, a single maple tree can make two tons of sugar on one good sunny day! (The Way Life Works, Hoagland and Dodson) That's a lot of sugar!
Photosynthesis of plants is very important. It also makes the oxygen you and all animals need to breathe.
The reverse process of photosynthesis is known as respiration.
You might also be interested in:
Autotrophs are organisms that can "make their own food" from an inorganic source of carbon (carbon dioxide) given a source of energy. Most autotrophs use sunlight in the process of photosynthesis to make
...more Respiration is the name of the general process where organisms convert sugars and oxygen into biochemical energy. The process happens in all organisms, including animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria.
...moreLife on Earth obtains energy in many types of formats. The two main process are photosynthesis and respiration. Photosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water,
...morePhotosynthesis is the name of the process by which autotrophs (self-feeders) convert water, carbon dioxide, and solar energy into sugars and oxygen. If it weren't for the photosynthetic activity of early
...moreWe often take plants for granted. But they are so important! They give us food, paper, wood, even medicine. They also absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. When big changes happen
...moreBiomes are large regions of the world with similar plants, animals, and other living things that are adapted to the climate and other conditions. Explore the links below to learn more about different biomes.
...moreEventually, photosynthesis by the earliest forms of plant life (a form of life capable of feeding itself instead of feeding off of others) began to produce significant amounts of oxygen. One important
...more