Biosphere Contents

3. Photosynthesis

In photosynthesis a plant will capture light using chlorophyll, which is the green pigment in plant leaves

A close up of a plant leaf

The plant uses the energy captured by the chlorophyll to create organic matter in the form of simple carbohydrates, with consequent splitting of water to release oxygen. For this reaction to occur the plant needs carbon dioxide which it gets from the atmosphere. It also requires water, which land plants generally obtain via their root system. The final requirement is sunlight which is the 'energy' in the equation. Aquatic plants obtain carbon dioxide from the surrounding water.

How does a plant capture light?