Question

Mention the raw materials required for photosynthesis.

Answer 1

The process by which green plants prepare their food materials by using carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll is called photosynthesis. Carbohydrate (glucose/starch) is produced in photosynthesis with molecular oxygen as a byproduct.

Complete Answer:
Photosynthesis is a process by which green plants prepare their food material by using carbon dioxide and water using solar energy (sunlight) to produce carbohydrate and oxygen.
Reaction: $C{O_2} + {H_2}O\xrightarrow[{chlorophyll}]{{sunlight}}{C_6}{H_{12}}{O_6} + {O_2}\left( \uparrow \right)$

The raw materials of photosynthesis are:
(a) Sunlight: Plants utilize solar energy to prepare food material. In the absence of sunlight photosynthesis cannot occur. Sun gives off a mix of mostly red and blue light. These are the colors that chlorophyll absorbs the best. On the other hand, green light is reflected by chlorophyll.
(b) Chlorophyll: The energy captured by the chlorophyll can be used in photosynthesis to make sugar. The green colored pigment found in the chloroplast of leaves is called chlorophyll. The different chlorophyll pigments are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, xanthophyll, carotene.
(c) Carbon dioxide: The plants utilize carbon dioxide that is exhaled by human beings during breathing, for photosynthesis. The rate of reaction increases to some extent by increasing carbon dioxide concentration.
(d) Water: Roots of plants absorb water and minerals from soil and transport them to leaves with the help of xylem and is used in photosynthesis.

Note: Green plants are called as producers or autotrophs as they prepare their own food material. Leaf is called the kitchen of the plant as food is prepared here.