Photosynthesis: A chemical process whereby plants and algae use a sun's energy to make sugars (organic compounds) from carbon dioxide and water (inorganic compounds). See also autotroph, chemosynthesis.

 

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Photosynthesis: The process by which plant cells use solar energy to produce ATP. The conversion of unusable sunlight energy into usable chemical energy, associated with the actions of chlorophyll.

Auxotrophic Algae: Algae requiring a few organically derived substances, such as vitamins, along with dissolved inorganic nutrients for photosynthesis.

Chemosynthesis: Primary production of organic matter, using various substances instead of light as an energy source; confined to a few groups of microorganisms

Autotroph: An organism that synthesizes organic molecules from inorganic starting materials through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. Autotrophs are ecologically important as primary producers as they . . . View Full Definition

Root-Leaf-Vascular System Axis: Refers to the arrangement in vascular plants in which the roots anchor the plant and absorb water and nutrients, the leaves carry out photosynthesis, and the vascular system connects the roo . . . View Full Definition

Producers: The first level in a food pyramid; consist of organisms that generate the food used by all other organisms in the ecosystem; usually consist of plants making food by photosynthesis.

Chloroplast: In eukaryotic organisms, the cellular organelle in which photosynthesis takes place

Thylakoids: The specialized membrane structures in which photosynthesis takes place. Internal membranes in the chloroplast where the light reaction chemicals are embedded. Collections of thylakoids form . . . View Full Definition

Photosynthate: A substance synthesized in the process of photosynthesis

Leaf: Plant structure which is the primary location for photosynthesis. Long slender leaves are often referred to as needles.