Photosynthesis energy storage

How does photosynthesis work?

Photosynthesis is the process plants and some algae use to convert light energy to chemical energy stored as sugar within chloroplasts -- the energy factories found in plant cells. Plants need only carbon dioxide and water for photosynthesis to work.

How much energy is stored by photosynthesis a year?

Despite the low efficiency, the amount of energy stored by photosynthesis each year in the biosphere is still roughly four times that of the annual consumption by humans [ 1 ]. The fossil fuels we use today are all made from ancient photosynthesis. Coal, petroleum, and natural gas are decomposition products of plants and animals.

Why is photosynthesis important?

This process, called photosynthesis, is essential to the global carbon cycle and organisms that conduct photosynthesis represent the lowest level in most food chains (Figure 1). Figure 1: Photosynthetic plants synthesize carbon-based energy molecules from the energy in sunlight. Consequently, they provide an abundance of energy for other organisms.

What is photosynthesis based on?

The energy extracted today by the burning of coal and petroleum products represents sunlight energy captured and stored by photosynthesis almost 200 million years ago. Plants, algae, and a group of bacteria called cyanobacteria are the only organisms capable of performing photosynthesis (Figure \ (\PageIndex {1}\)).

What are artificial photosynthesis systems?

Inspired by natural photosynthesis, researchers have developed many artificial photosynthesis systems (APS's) that integrate various photocatalysts and biocatalysts to convert and store solar energy in the fields of resource, environment, food, and energy.

What are the two stages of photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis takes place in two sequential stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light independent-reactions. In the light-dependent reactions, energy from sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll and that energy is converted into stored chemical energy.