Definitions for photosynthesis
ˌfoʊ təˈsɪn θə sɪspho·to·syn·the·sis

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.0 / 6 votes

1. photosynthesisnoun

   synthesis of compounds with the aid of radiant energy (especially in plants)

WiktionaryRate this definition:2.8 / 6 votes

1. photosynthesisnoun

   The process by which plants and other photoautotrophs generate carbohydrates and oxygen from carbon dioxide, water, and light energy in chloroplasts.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Photosynthesis

   Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy that, through cellular respiration, can later be released to fuel the organism's activities. Some of this chemical energy is stored in carbohydrate molecules, such as sugars and starches, which are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water – hence the name photosynthesis, from the Greek phōs (φῶς), "light", and synthesis (σύνθεσις), "putting together". Most plants, algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis; such organisms are called photoautotrophs. Photosynthesis is largely responsible for producing and maintaining the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere, and supplies most of the energy necessary for life on Earth.Although photosynthesis is performed differently by different species, the process always begins when energy from light is absorbed by proteins called reaction centers that contain green chlorophyll (and other colored) pigments/chromophores. In plants, these proteins are held inside organelles called chloroplasts, which are most abundant in leaf cells, while in bacteria they are embedded in the plasma membrane. In these light-dependent reactions, some energy is used to strip electrons from suitable substances, such as water, producing oxygen gas. The hydrogen freed by the splitting of water is used in the creation of two further compounds that serve as short-term stores of energy, enabling its transfer to drive other reactions: these compounds are reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the "energy currency" of cells. In plants, algae and cyanobacteria, sugars are synthesized by a subsequent sequence of light-independent reactions called the Calvin cycle. In the Calvin cycle, atmospheric carbon dioxide is incorporated into already existing organic carbon compounds, such as ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP). Using the ATP and NADPH produced by the light-dependent reactions, the resulting compounds are then reduced and removed to form further carbohydrates, such as glucose. In other bacteria, different mechanisms such as the reverse Krebs cycle are used to achieve the same end. The first photosynthetic organisms probably evolved early in the evolutionary history of life and most likely used reducing agents such as hydrogen or hydrogen sulfide, rather than water, as sources of electrons. Cyanobacteria appeared later; the excess oxygen they produced contributed directly to the oxygenation of the Earth, which rendered the evolution of complex life possible. Today, the average rate of energy capture by photosynthesis globally is approximately 130 terawatts, which is about eight times the current power consumption of human civilization. Photosynthetic organisms also convert around 100–115 billion tons (91–104 Pg petagrams, or billion metric tons), of carbon into biomass per year. That plants receive some energy from light – in addition to air, soil, and water – was first discovered in 1779 by Jan Ingenhousz. Photosynthesis is vital for climate processes, as it captures carbon dioxide from the air and then binds carbon in plants and further in soils and harvested products. Cereals alone are estimated to bind 3,825 Tg (teragrams) or 3.825 Pg (petagrams) of carbon dioxide every year, i.e. 3.825 billion metric tons.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. photosynthesis

   Photosynthesis is a biological process performed by plants, algae and some bacteria, where they convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy in the form of glucose or other sugars. This process involves the absorption of light by a pigment called chlorophyll, along with carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and water from the soil. The produced oxygen is then released back into the atmosphere as a byproduct.

WikidataRate this definition:3.0 / 5 votes

1. Photosynthesis

   Photosynthesis is a process used by plants and other autotrophic organisms to convert light energy, normally from the sun, into chemical energy that can be used to fuel the organisms' activities. Carbohydrates, such as sugars, are synthesized from carbon dioxide and water during the process. Oxygen is also released, mostly as a waste product. Most plants, most algae, and cyanobacteria perform the process of photosynthesis, and are called photoautotrophs. Photosynthesis maintains atmospheric oxygen levels and supplies most of the energy necessary for all life on Earth, except for chemotrophs, which gain energy through oxidative chemical reactions. Although photosynthesis is performed differently by different species, the process always begins when energy from light is absorbed by proteins called reaction centres that contain green chlorophyll pigments. In plants, these proteins are held inside organelles called chloroplasts, which are most abundant in leaf cells, while in bacteria they are embedded in the plasma membrane. In these light-dependent reactions, some energy is used to strip electrons from suitable substances such as water. This produces oxygen gas and hydrogen ions, which are transferred to a compound called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reducing it to NADPH. More light energy is transferred to chemical energy in the generation of adenosine triphosphate, the "energy currency" of cells.

U.S. National Library of MedicineRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Photosynthesis

   The synthesis by organisms of organic chemical compounds, especially carbohydrates, from carbon dioxide using energy obtained from light rather than from the oxidation of chemical compounds. Photosynthesis comprises two separate processes: the light reactions and the dark reactions. In higher plants; GREEN ALGAE; and CYANOBACTERIA; NADPH and ATP formed by the light reactions drive the dark reactions which result in the fixation of carbon dioxide. (from Oxford Dictionary of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2001)

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. photosynthesis

   A process to change the form of light energy by a plant or other organism.

   Photosynthesis is an important part of plant life.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on March 15, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Chemical Process
   • Plant

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

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How to pronounce photosynthesis?

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How to say photosynthesis in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of photosynthesis in Chaldean Numerology is: 7

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of photosynthesis in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of photosynthesis in a Sentence

1. Gavin Munro:

   We grow the chairs upside down and we start with one branch that spreads out into the chair-back. So, you've gone from one to two, and then the seat, and then you've got the four legs; and it's much more of a tree shape, actually it works in a similar way to 3D printing... we're using photosynthesis for the printing. So as it grows, you've got a piece growing up.

2. Charlie Hall:

   As long as the needles are green and there is light, photosynthesis is occurring.

3. Bill Nye:

   By the end of this century, if emissions keep rising, the average temperature on Earth could go up another four to eight degrees, what I'm saying is the planet's on f *** ing fire. There are a lot of things we could do to put it out -- are any of them free ? No, of course not. Nothing's free, you idiots. Grow the f ** k up. You're not children anymore. I didn't mind explaining photosynthesis to you when you were 12. But you're adults now, and this is an actually crisis, got it ? Safety glasses off, motherf *** ers.

4. Wim Peters:

   Red light is very important for photosynthesis and growth, but you need blue light to give the tomato a good shape.

5. Chris Bowler:

   Plankton are much more than just food for the whales, although tiny, these organisms are a vital part of the Earth's life support system, providing half of the oxygen generated each year on Earth by photosynthesis and lying at the base of marine food chains on which all other ocean life depends.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=photosynthesis
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photosynthesis
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=photosynthesis
6. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=photosynthesis