02. Photosynthesis & Respiration
Photosynthesis is the process plants use to make food (as glucose). They take in carbon dioxide and water and use sunlight to break these down and convert them into glucose, oxygen is also produced as a waste product:
carbon dioxide + water --> glucose + oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
This process takes part in parts of plant cells called chloroplasts. Chloroplasts contain a compound called chlorophyll which absorbs sunlight. This sunlight provides the energy the chloroplasts need to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.
Activity: Can you sort the facts about respiration and photosynthesis into a Venn diagram?
