Photosynthesis is the process by which autotrophs convert carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates using sunlight and chlorophyll. This process provides the organism with stored forms of energy, primarily in the form of carbohydrates.
What is photosynthesis, and how does it fulfill the carbon and energy requirements of autotrophic organisms?
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Photosynthesis is the process by which autotrophic organisms, such as plants and algae, convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll-containing cells capture sunlight and use it to combine carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air with water (H2O) from the soil, producing glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) as by-products. This process fulfills the carbon requirement by incorporating CO2 into organic molecules and provides energy in the form of glucose, meeting the energy needs of autotrophic organisms. The stored glucose serves as a source of both immediate and long-term energy for various cellular processes.