Process in which green plants use the Energy of sunlight to manufacture carbohydrates from Carbon Dioxide and Water in the presence of Chlorophyll. The chlorophyll Molecule is uniquely capable of converting active Light energy into a latent form (glucose) that is stored in food. The initial phase
of the process requires direct light; water (H2O) is broken down into Oxygen (which is released as a Gas - see States Of Matter) and Hydrogen. Hydrogen and the Carbon and oxygen of carbon dioxide (CO2) are then converted into a series of
increasingly complex Compounds that result finally in a stable organic compound, glucose (C6H12O6), and
water. The simplified equation for the overall reaction is (6CO2 + 12H2O + energy)
converts to (C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O). The oxygen released as a by-product is
atmospheric oxygen, vital to respiration in plants and animals. Photosynthesis, in
general, is the reverse of respiration, in which carbohydrates are broken down
to release energy.