Where do plants get each of the raw materials required for photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. For this process to occur, plants require several raw materials, which they obtain from the environment. The primary raw materials for photosynthesis are:

1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Plants acquire carbon dioxide from the air through tiny pores called stomata, which are present on the surface of leaves, stems, and other plant parts. Carbon dioxide is a crucial component for the synthesis of glucose during the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.

2. Water (H2O): Water is absorbed by the plant’s roots from the soil. It is transported through the plant’s vascular system (xylem) to the leaves, where it is used in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Water molecules are split during these reactions, and the oxygen is released as a byproduct.

3. Sunlight: Sunlight is the primary source of energy for photosynthesis. Plants capture light energy using pigments, such as chlorophyll, which are present in the chloroplasts of plant cells. The captured light energy is then used to drive the synthesis of glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

In summary, plants get carbon dioxide from the air, water from the soil, and sunlight from the environment to carry out photosynthesis. This process occurs in specialized cellular structures called chloroplasts, primarily in the leaves of green plants. The overall equation for photosynthesis is:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy→ C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂

This equation represents the conversion of carbon dioxide and water, in the presence of light energy, into glucose and oxygen.