Photosynthesis
Written by:
Françis Cotton,
Agricultural Technician
Plants are a crucial link in the food chain of all ecosystems on Earth. These organisms are commonly known as autotrophs because they have the ability to produce their own energy from a light source captured by the chlorophylls located in their leaf chloroplasts. These producers have the capacity to convert simple molecules, including water, light, and carbon dioxide, into complex molecules such as glucose (sugar) through their unique energy process called photosynthesis.
This energy process is divided into two important phases. The first phase is called the photochemical stage (light phase), and the second phase is the thermochemical stage (dark phase). During the light phase, plants absorb solar energy to produce potential energy and release oxygen. Subsequently, this energy is utilized for plant development during the dark phase to synthesize organic matter by consuming carbon dioxide from the air and releasing water.
The capture of solar energy required for photosynthesis is realised by photosynthetic pigments, namely chlorophylls a and b, and carotenoids. These two chlorophyll pigments absorb a significant portion of sunlight based on their spectral activity. Carotenoids, in conjunction with chlorophylls, absorb some of the solar energy that was not absorbed by chlorophylls. The primary pigment found in chloroplasts is chlorophyll a, followed by chlorophyll b, which is three times less abundant. Carotenoids represent one-third of these pigments.
The photosynthetic efficiency of a plant is influenced by several endogenous factors, such as the physiological and anatomical properties of the plant, as well as exogenous factors that represent the plant's environment. In other words, various characteristics like the number of leaves and heat resistance can negatively or positively influence a plant's ability to generate energy from sunlight. Additionally, environmental factors such as light intensity, altitude, climate, and season influence the rate of photosynthesis in plants.
In conclusion, plants are extraordinary species that possess a complex and unique energy process. They transform the energy from sunlight into chemicals components to grow and produce all the varieties of fruits and vegetables that we are consuming daily.
