In photosynthesis what chemical is converted to sugar?

Answer 1

sorry for the really long answer :P Photosynthesis is a process that converts carbon dioxide into organic compounds, especially sugars, using the energy from sunlight. Photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and many species of bacteria. Phytoplankton account for half of all photosynthetic activity on Earth. With the exception of some bacteria, all use water and carbon dioxide as initial substrates and release oxygen as a waste product. Photosynthetic organisms are called (photo)autotrophs. Autotrophic organisms are able to synthesize theirself from abiotic components as sunlight, water and carbon dioxide. Autotrophs bring the carbon atoms of inorganic carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Carbon occupies a special place on the Periodic Table of elements and has the unique ability to form chains with other carbon atoms. Those bonds give it the unique ability to store and release large amounts of energy in its bonds in a relatively stable, controllable way. From these chains of carbon, plants form energy-containing carbohydrates, such as sugar and oils, and structural carbohydrates called cellulose, which gives plants their hardness and allows them to grow tall without falling over. Heterotrophic organisms, such as animals, depend on those organic compounds. Therefore, photosynthesis is crucially important for life on Earth. As well as maintaining the normal level of oxygen in the atmosphere, nearly all life either depends on it directly as a source of energy, or indirectly as the ultimate source of the energy in their food. Although photosynthesis can occur in different ways in different species, some features are always the same. For example, the process always begins when energy from light is absorbed by proteins that contain chlorophyll. In plants these proteins are held inside organelles called chloroplasts, while in bacteria they are embedded in the plasma membrane. Some of the light energy gathered by chlorophylls is stored in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The rest of the energy is used to remove electrons from a substance such as water. These electrons are then used in the reactions that turn carbon dioxide into organic compounds. In plants, algae and cyanobacteria these reactions are called the Calvin cycle, but different sets of reactions can be found in bacteria, such as the reverse Krebs cycle in Chlorobium. Many photosynthetic organisms have adaptations that concentrate or store carbon dioxide, this helps reduce a wasteful process called photorespiration that would otherwise consume part of the sugar produced during photosynthesis. Composite image showing the global distribution of photosynthesis, including both oceanic phytoplankton and terrestrial vegetation. The amount of energy trapped by photosynthesis is immense, approximately 100 terawatts: which is about six times larger than the power consumption of human civilization. In all, photosynthetic organisms convert around 100,000,000,000 tonnes of carbon into biomass per year. Photosynthesis evolved early in the evolutionary history of life, when all forms of life on Earth were microorganisms. Although the dates are difficult to estimate with any accuracy, the first photosynthetic organisms probably evolved about 3,500 million years ago, and used hydrogen or hydrogen sulfide as sources of electrons, rather than water. Cyanobacteria appeared later, around 3,000 million years ago, and changed the Earth forever when they began to oxygenate the atmosphere, beginning about 2,400 million years ago. This new atmosphere allowed the evolution of complex life such as protists. Eventually, about 550 million years ago, one of these protists formed a symbiotic relationship with a cyanobacterium, producing the ancestor of the plants and algae.The chloroplasts in modern plants are the descendants of these ancient symbiotic cyanobacteria. hope it helped

Answer 2

It converts light energy to chemical energy.

Answer 3

anyone have answers?