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Photosynthesis is one of the most important processes on Earth. It is said that Earth's plants produce close to 160 billion metric tons of sugar by converting solar energy to chemical energy. 160 billion tons?! That's a lot of food, considering that the chemical energy photosynthesis yield is a sugar known as glucose. Sugar is food for humans and animals, so photosynthesis is essential to life. The scientific way to express photosynthesis is written is shown in the image above. This picture is helpful in understanding photosynthesis and how it works. As you can see, the reaction yields glucose, and oxygen. As we all know, without oxygen we would not be able to live. Photosynthesis is essential to life in many ways. As shown in the reaction, it uses carbon dioxide and water to make sugar and oxygen. In other words, plants use the excess carbon dioxide in the air (which can be deadly in high doses) and turn it into two things that help us live. Glucose (food to eat) and oxygen (air to breathe).
Sources: Class Notes: Chapter 7-Photosynthesis: Using Light to Make Food
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