Photosynthesis is the process that plants use to make their own food. It mainly needs sunlight. Plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and water from the ground. With sunlight, they turn these into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen.

But not all living things need sunlight like plants do. Some special organisms use chemosynthesis instead. This means they can make energy without any light. For instance, sulfur bacteria can live in dark places, like deep-sea vents, and they turn hydrogen sulfide into glucose.

What This Means:

• Different Ecosystems:
  • There are living things that survive in extreme places where sunlight doesn’t reach, like deep in the ocean.
• Carbon Cycle Changes:
  • The rates at which carbon is fixed can affect how much carbon is in the environment and even the climate.
• Energy Options:
  • Understanding these processes can help us find new ways to create renewable energy.

Overall, about 90% of life on Earth depends on photosynthesis for energy.