Definition, Function and Process of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process of making energy or nutrients / glucose which took over the role of sunlight (photo = light, synthesis = the manufacturing / processing) by using nutrients / minerals, carbon dioxide and water. Living beings are capable of photosynthesis of plants, algae and some bacteria. Photosynthesis is essential for life on earth as nearly all living things depend on energy produced by the process of photosynthesis.Photosynthesis FunctionPhotosynthesis functions as follows:

    The main function of photosynthesis to produce nutrients such as glucose. Glucose into the basic fuel building other nutrients, the fat and protein in the plant body. These substances into food for animals and humans. Therefore, the ability of plants convert light energy (sunlight) into chemical energy (nutrients) has always been a food chain.
    Photosynthesis helps clean the air, reducing levels of CO2 (carbon dioxide) in the air because CO2 is a raw material in the process of photosynthesis. As an end result, in addition to nutrients is O2 (Oxygen) which is needed for life.
    The ability of plant photosynthesis during his lifetime cause remains of plants that lived past buried in the ground for millions of years to become one of the coal energy sources today.
Photosynthesis ProcessOkay let's see how the reaction to occur:
Definition, Function and Process of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis takes place in two stages, the light reactions (requires sunlight) and dark reactions (does not require sunlight)
Light reaction
Takes place in the thylakoid membranes in the grana. Grana is a structure formed thylakoid membrane formation in the stroma, which is one room in the chloroplast. In the grana are chlorophyll, the pigment that plays a role in photosynthesis. Light reaction called photolysis well as the absorption of light energy and the decomposition of water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen.
Dark Reaction
Takes place in the stroma. Reactions that form of sugar derived ingredients CO2 from the air and the energy derived from the light reactions.
No need sunlight, but it can not take place if it has not happened yet because the light cycles from the energy used to light reaction.
There are two kinds of cycles, ie Calin-Benson cycle and cycle-Slack hatch. In Calin-Benson cycle, plants produce compounds with carbon atom number three, the compound 3-Phosphoglyceric. This cycle is assisted by the enzyme RuBisCO. At hatch-Slack cycle, plants produce compounds with carbon atom number four. The enzyme is phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase plays.
final product obtained glucose dark cycle plant that is used for activities or stored as energy reserves.