Photosynthesis is a crucial process that plants, algae, and some bacteria use to convert light energy into chemical energy. The raw materials required for photosynthesis are primarily carbon dioxide and water.
During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide from the air through small pores in their leaves called stomata. They also absorb water from the soil through their roots. The green pigment chlorophyll, found in the chloroplasts of plant cells, captures sunlight and provides the energy needed for the chemical reactions to occur.
Once carbon dioxide and water are combined with sunlight, they undergo a series of reactions that lead to the production of glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. The overall reaction can be summarized in the equation: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2. Glucose serves as an energy source for the plant, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of aerobic organisms, including humans.
In summary, the raw materials for photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water, both of which are transformed into glucose and oxygen through the influence of sunlight.