The formula for photosynthesis can be expressed as:
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
This equation shows that carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) are converted into glucose (C6H12O6), a type of sugar, using sunlight as energy. As a byproduct of this process, oxygen (O2) is released.
In simpler terms, plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil, and through the energy captured from sunlight, they produce glucose, which serves as food for the plant, as well as oxygen, which is essential for most life forms on Earth. Photosynthesis primarily occurs in the leaves of plants, specifically within cells called chloroplasts that contain the green pigment chlorophyll, responsible for capturing light energy.