photosynthesis

Everyday

Photosynthesis is the way green plants make their own food using sunlight, water and carbon dioxide from the air, giving out oxygen. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons pupils learn the simple word equation: carbon dioxide + water → (with light, in chlorophyll) → glucose (sugar) + oxygen. It happens mainly in the leaves, in the green chlorophyll. Photosynthesis feeds almost all food chains and gives us the oxygen we breathe. A plant kept in the dark cannot photosynthesise and grows pale and weak. Phrases: plants carry out photosynthesis, needed for photosynthesis.

Examples

• Plants make food by photosynthesis. tree →
• Photosynthesis needs sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. tree →
• Leaves are green because of chlorophyll, which traps light for photosynthesis. tree →
• Photosynthesis gives out oxygen. tree →
• A plant in a dark cupboard cannot carry out photosynthesis. tree →
• Almost all food chains start with photosynthesis. tree →

Note

Uncountable noun. «Photo» = light, «synthesis» = putting together. Verb: photosynthesise (UK) / photosynthesize (US). Myth: plants get their food from the soil — the soil gives water and minerals, but the plant's food (sugar) is made from air and water using light.