Overview of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. It occurs primarily in the chloroplasts of leaf mesophyll cells, building on the role of leaves and organelles you learned in prerequisites.
The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis summarizes this process:
$$6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{\text{light, chlorophyll}} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$$
Here, carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and water ($H_2O$) are reactants, glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$) is the energy-rich product, and oxygen ($O_2$) is released as a byproduct. This equation represents the net result, but the process involves two main stages: light-dependent and light-independent reactions.
Example Application: In agriculture, understanding this equation helps optimize greenhouse conditions to maximize $CO_2$ availability, boosting crop yields like tomatoes.