What is the food making process of all plants that combines carbon dioxide and water using light energy?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. During photosynthesis, plants utilize sunlight to combine carbon dioxide from the air with water absorbed through their roots. This process occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures light energy. The simplified chemical equation for photosynthesis can be represented as:

6CO₂ (carbon dioxide) + 6H₂O (water) + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose) + 6O₂ (oxygen).

This means that plants take in carbon dioxide and water, use light energy to transform these raw materials, and produce glucose – a vital source of energy for plant growth and development. Additionally, oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is essential for the respiration of many organisms, including humans.

Understanding photosynthesis is fundamental in forestry and environmental studies, as it highlights the crucial role that plants play in carbon cycling and oxygen production within ecosystems.