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Biology vocabulary · Plant Biology

Photosynthesis

Meaning in biology, with examples

/ˌfoʊtoʊˈsɪnθəsɪs/nounCore term

In biology, photosynthesis means: The process in which plants, algae and some bacteria use light energy to make glucose from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen as a by-product.

In Turkish: fotosentez

How it is used

Takes place in chloroplasts and has two stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle. The verb is photosynthesize and the adjective photosynthetic, as in photosynthetic organisms. Stress falls on SYN: pho-to-SYN-the-sis.

Example sentences

  1. We measured the rate of photosynthesis by counting the oxygen bubbles released by the pondweed.

  2. Photosynthesis slows down when the stomata close on hot, dry days.

Common collocations

  • rate of photosynthesis
  • carry out photosynthesis
  • light-dependent reactions
  • photosynthetic pigment
  • chloroplastAn organelle in plant and algal cells where photosynthesis takes place. It contains the green pigment chlorophyll and has its own DNA.
  • cellular respirationThe process by which cells break down glucose and other food molecules to release energy and store it as ATP. When oxygen is used, carbon dioxide and water are produced.
  • stomaA tiny pore, mostly on the underside of a leaf, that lets carbon dioxide in and oxygen and water vapor out. Each stoma is opened and closed by two guard cells.
  • carbohydrateAn organic molecule made of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, such as a sugar, starch or cellulose. Carbohydrates store energy and build structures like plant cell walls.
  • ATPShort for adenosine triphosphate, the molecule that cells use to store and transfer energy. Breaking off one of its phosphate groups releases energy for cell work.

More terms: Plant Biology

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