Giselle Pineda

Dr. Bruce

ENGL 360

1 March 2021

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a chemical process in which a plant synthesizes organic compounds

from light energy to convert into chemical energy (Allaby, 2020). During the operation of

photosynthesis, the plant absorbs water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sunlight to produce

energy (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2) (Vanstone, 2020). The energy the plant produces is in the

form of sugar, glucose. This process of reactions begins with the chloroplast organelle within the

plant. All plants have plant cells which include features such as; cell membrane, mitochondria,

vacuole, cytoplasm, cell wall, nucleus, and chloroplasts. The organelles have different functions

to help the plant survive, specifically chloroplasts are where photosynthesis occurs. The

chloroplast organelle has photosynthetic pigments, which absorb sunlight such as chlorophyll

(Rennie & Law, 2020). Chlorophyll is responsible for the green color of plants. As the

chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, the plant uses the sunlight energy to begin the process of photolysis

of water. During the photolysis phase, H2O is separated into oxygen gas (O2), hydrogen ions

(H2), and electrons. This separation is responsible for producing oxygen gas that the plant

releases. This is what we know as fresh air. Next, through the chemical reactions caused by

photosynthesis hydrogen ions and the electrons are added to carbon dioxide (CO2), which

establishes organic products (Rennie & Law, 2020). These organic products are also known as

sugar or in scientific terms, glucose. The glucose is used within the plant as food, this process

essentially helps the plant grow. This process only occurs in plants and some bacteria.
Photosynthesis is important because not only do they help the plant grow, but also provide

oxygen for humans.

Figure 1.

In this figure, a plant is undergoing the process of photosynthesis. A plant absorbs carbon

dioxide, sunlight, and water to produce sugars and oxygen (Vanstone, 2020).

Figure 2.

Figure 2 shows the chemical equation for photosynthesis. This chemical equation shows carbon

dioxide(CO2) and water(H2O) being converted into glucose(C6H12O6) and oxygen(O2)

(Allaby, 2020).
Photosynthesis and the Food Chain

As a result of photosynthesis a plant is able to grow to be a producer (Rutledge et al.,

2012). A producer is the first trophic level of a food chain. Trophic levels are a category for

similar organisms in a food web. The trophic levels are simplified as producers, consumers, and

decomposers. Plants make up the first trophic level and become food for humans and animals to

consume. Therefore, photosynthesis is responsible for sustaining our food chain. Furthermore,

photosynthesis is a part of the carbon cycle by taking carbon out of the atmosphere (Benniston &

Harriman, 2008). This process effectively cleans the air of carbon dioxide. However, humans are

producing carbon dioxide for industry at rates that plants cannot take carbon out of the

atmosphere sustainably. As a result, some scientists believe that artificial photosynthesis research

should be funded to curb this major issue. Benniston and Harriman (2008), say that artificial

photosynthesis is possible and can be the future of photosynthesis. One day plants may have

support from artificial photosynthesis to reduce CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

Etymology of Photosynthesis

The etymology of the word photosynthesis originates from 1895 (Harper, n.d).

Photosynthesis comes from the German translation of Photosynthese. Photosynthese is explained

as photo- "light" and synthese "synthesis." This etymology helps the audience understand that

photosynthesis is the chemical synthesis of light.

Analogy

In order to better understand photosynthesis it can be compared to going to the market

and buying food to put in your fridge for eating later (Foundation, n.d.). This analogy can be
compared to photosynthesis by the reasoning that the process of photosynthesis is similar to

having food to eat that will help an individual grow. Humans cannot create their own food, but

they can go purchase it in order to eat. Plants can create their own food, so they have their own

market within this process of chemical reactions.

Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Next, it is also important to note the differences between photosynthesis and cellular

respiration (Foundation, n.d.). These two concepts are often confused with one another as a result

of involving similar processes. However, they are exactly opposite reactions. Photosynthesis uses

sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to produce energy in the form of glucose and a by-product of

oxygen. Whereas, cellular respiration breaks down glucose and oxygen to produce carbon

dioxide (CO2) and water (H20). Cellular respiration happens in plants and animals.

Photosynthesis only occurs in plants and not animals. Furthermore, photosynthesis is a process

of photolysis, which means that it is caused by light. On the other hand, cellular respiration is a

catabolic reaction, which means that a large molecule is broken down into smaller units.

To sum up all the above information, photosynthesis is a process of chemical reactions

responsible for creating food for the plant in the form of glucose and has a by-product of oxygen

(Rennie & Law, 2020). The oxygen released from this process makes up essentially all the

oxygen in the atmosphere. The reason trees produce oxygen is through photosynthesis.

Furthermore, photosynthesis creates glucose which allows the plant to grow and become a

producer (Rutledge et al., 2012). Plants are producers that feed herbivores and omnivores.

Herbivores and omnivores make up a large portion of the food chain. In conclusion,

photosynthesis is crucial to sustaining the atmospheric conditions and the global food chain.
References

Allaby, M. (2020). A dictionary of geology and earth sciences. In A dictionary of geology and

Earth sciences (pp. 1000-1001). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Benniston, A. C., & Harriman, A. (2008). Artificial photosynthesis. Materials Today, 11(12),

26-34. doi:10.1016/s1369-7021(08)70250-5

Foundation, C. (n.d.). 12 foundation. Retrieved February 20, 2021, from

https://flexbooks.ck12.org/cbook/ck-12-middle-school-life-science-2.0/section/2.17/primar

y/lesson/connecting-cellular-respiration-and-photosynthesis-ms-ls

Harper, D. (n.d.). Photosynthesis. Retrieved March 02, 2021, from

https://www.etymonline.com/word/photosynthesis#:~:text=photosynthesis%20(n.),Related

%3A%20Photosynthetic.
Rennie, R., & Law, J. (2020). A dictionary of chemistry. In A dictionary of chemistry (pp.

945-946). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Rutledge, K., Costa, H., Sprout, E., Teng, S., McDaniel, M., Boudreau, D., . . . Hall, H. (2012,

October 09). Food web. Retrieved February 24, 2021, from

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/food-web/

Vanstone, E. (2020, October 06). What is photosynthesis? - science questions. Retrieved

February 20, 2021, from https://www.science-sparks.com/what-is-photosynthesis/

In this definition, principle of operations was used in paragraph 1 to explain the order of

operations for the chemical reaction of photosynthesis. Graphical representation was also used to

illustrate the process of photosynthesis. Next, etymology was used to describe the origins of the

keyword. An analogy was also used to further explain to the audience. The technique of

comparing and contrasting was also used to explain the differences of two similar concepts. In

the end, the information was summed up for the reader to understand.