What Process Is the Opposite of Photosynthesis

Most life on Earth depends on photosynthesis.The process is carried out by plants, algae, and some types of bacteria, which capture energy from sunlight to produce oxygen (O₂) and chemical energy stored in glucose (a sugar). Herbivores then obtain this energy by eating plants, and carnivores obtain it by eating herbivores.

The process

During photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) from the air and soil. Within the plant cell, the water is oxidized, meaning it loses electrons, while the carbon dioxide is reduced, meaning it gains electrons. This transforms the water into oxygen and the carbon dioxide into glucose. The plant then releases the oxygen back into the air, and stores energy within the glucose molecules.

Chlorophyll

Inside the plant cell are small organelles called chloroplasts, which store the energy of sunlight. Within the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast is a light-absorbing pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for giving the plant its green color. During photosynthesis, chlorophyll absorbs energy from blue- and red-light waves, and reflects green-light waves, making the plant appear green.

Light-dependent reactions vs. light-independent reactions

While there are many steps behind the process of photosynthesis, it can be broken down into two major stages: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reaction takes place within the thylakoid membrane and requires a steady stream of sunlight, hence the name light-dependent reaction. The chlorophyll absorbs energy from the light waves, which is converted into chemical energy in the form of the molecules ATP and NADPH. The light-independent stage, also known as the Calvin Cycle, takes place in the stroma, the space between the thylakoid membranes and the chloroplast membranes, and does not require light, hence the name light-independent reaction. During this stage, energy from the ATP and NADPH molecules is used to assemble carbohydrate molecules, like glucose, from carbon dioxide.

C3 and C4 photosynthesis

Not all forms of photosynthesis are created equal, however. There are different types of photosynthesis, including C3 photosynthesis and C4 photosynthesis. C3 photosynthesis is used by the majority of plants. It involves producing a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglyceric acid during the Calvin Cycle, which goes on to become glucose. C4 photosynthesis, on the other hand, produces a four-carbon intermediate compound, which splits into carbon dioxide and a three-carbon compound during the Calvin Cycle. A benefit of C4 photosynthesis is that by producing higher levels of carbon, it allows plants to thrive in environments without much light or water.

The plant leaves are green because that color is the part of sunlight reflected by a pigment in the leaves called chlorophyll.

Photograph courtesy of Shutterstock

ATP

Noun

(adenosine triphosphate) chemical found in most living cells and used for energy.

C3 photosynthesis

Noun

Used by the majority of plants, it involves producing a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglyceric acid during the Calvin Cycle, which goes on to become a sugar called glucose.

C4 photosynthesis

Noun

Involves producing a four-carbon intermediate compound, which splits into carbon dioxide and a three-carbon compound during the Calvin Cycle in plants that do not get a lot of light or water.

Calvin cycle

Noun

series of reactions that take place during photosynthesis, where carbon dioxide and water from the atmosphere are converted into sugar.

carbon

Noun

chemical element with the symbol C, which forms the basis of all known life.

Noun

organism that eats meat.

Noun

plants' green pigment that is essential to photosynthesis.

chloroplast

Noun

part of the cell in plants and other autotrophs that carries out the process of photosynthesis.

glucose

Noun

"simple sugar" chemical produced by many plants during photosynthesis.

Noun

organism that eats mainly plants and other producers.

NADPH

Noun

(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) chemical found in most living cells and used for energy.

organelle

Noun

specialized part of a cell that performs a specific function.

oxygen

Noun

chemical element with the symbol O, whose gas form is 21% of the Earth's atmosphere.

Noun

process by which plants turn water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide into water, oxygen, and simple sugars.

stroma

Noun

In a plant cell, the protein-containing matrix between the thylakoid membranes and the chloroplast membrane.

thylakoid membrane

Noun

Part of the chloroplast where light-dependent reactions take place.

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  Last Updated

  Oct. 24, 2019

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What Process Is the Opposite of Photosynthesis

Source: https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/photosynthesis/