Photosynthesis is a process that converts the sun's energy into stable chemical energy.
In Greek is where we find the etymological origin of the word that we are now going to analyze in depth. Thus, we come across the fact that photosynthesis is the result of the sum of three defined parts: photo , which is synonymous with "light"; syn , which is equivalent to "with", and thesis , which can be defined as "conclusion or position."
Photosynthesis is a metabolic process carried out by some cells of autotrophic organisms to synthesize organic substances from other inorganic ones . To develop this process, light energy is converted into stable chemical energy .
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the first molecule in which said chemical energy is stored. In the continuity of photosynthesis, ATP is used to synthesize other organic molecules.
Phases of photosynthesis
Specifically, this process is carried out by living beings that are largely made up of chlorophyll. Hence we can establish that photosynthesis is carried out by algae, bacteria and plants of various types.
Basically we could say that this process is made up of two perfectly differentiated phases:
• Primary phase . This stage is also known as light , which is in which what would be the chemical reactions mentioned above take place thanks to both chlorophyll and sunlight.
• Secondary phase . This is also called the dark phase and consists of the production of compounds formed by hydrogen, carbon and oxygen. It is carried out thanks to the fact that, without the need for sunlight , the hydrogen obtained in the previous stage is added to the carbon dioxide and this is how those compounds are produced.
Plants, algae and bacteria carry out photosynthesis.
Essential for life
Photosynthesis is essential for life on our planet since, by starting from light and inorganic matter, it manages to synthesize organic matter. The process allows carbon dioxide (CO2) to be fixed from the atmosphere and oxygen (O2) to be released.
Photosynthesis is also very important in our lives because through it the perfect balance between heterotrophic and autotrophic beings is achieved, oxygen is released and it is the key to the diversity of life that exists on Earth.
Development of photosynthesis
Chloroplasts found in photosynthetic eukaryotic cells are the organelles that allow the development of photosynthesis. They are surrounded by two membranes and have vesicles known as thylakoids , where the molecules and pigments that convert light energy into chemical energy are housed. One of these pigments is chlorophyll .
External factors that influence photosynthesis include temperature, light intensity, lighting time, water scarcity, and the concentration of carbon dioxide and oxygen in the air.
It should be noted that scientists have been working for decades on artificial photosynthesis that would allow the controlled reproduction of the process to capture solar energy on a large scale and transform it into chemical energy. Although the objective has not yet been met, the scientific community believes that it can be achieved in the future given the progress of research.