Go back to 3.8 assessment statements

3.8.1  State that photosynthesis involves the conversion of light energy into chemical energy

explanation 

for what this is/means

Photosynthesis involves energy conversions(usually from sunlight to to chemical energy). This process happens in chloroplast/prokaryotic equivalent. In this process, the photons from the sunlight are trapped and converted into chemical energy. Photosynthesis is the process that plants, algae and some bacteria use to produce all of the organic compounds that they need. Photosynthesis involves many chemical reactions. Some of them need a continual supply of light and so are called LIGHT-DEPENDENT REACTION.

Other reactions need light indirectly, but can carry on for some time in darkness. These are called LIGHT-INDEPENDENT REACTION. Glucose, amino acids and other organic compounds are produced in the light independent reactions. The light-dependent reactions produce intermediate compounds that are used in the light-independent reactions. In darkness these intermediate compounds are gradually used up.

Inorganic CO₂ + H₂O --> Organic C₆H₁₂O₆ and O₂