Arwa Muthana and Marwa Al-Shohatee
Photosynthesis converts light energy into the chemical energy of sugars and other organic compounds. This process consists of a series of chemical reactions that require carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H20) and store chemicla energy in the form of sugar. Light energy from light drives the reactions. Oxygen (O2) is a byproduct of photosynthesis and is released into the atmosphere.
Why is phosynthesis so important?
First of all, without plants the entire food chain or more accurately the food web would lose its foundation. All animals (including us humans) ultimately depend on plant material either directly, or indirectly through their herbivore prey. Think of that next time you sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar, or drink a glass of milk, or eat a chicken sandwich. All require one type of plant or another! On top of that, all animals require the oxygen released by plants. Without continual photosynthesis, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere would slowly diminish.