![]() Algae can grow over enormous areas in water, at times completely covering the surface. Figure 5.2 (a) Plants, (b) algae, and (c) certain bacteria, called cyanobacteria, are photoautotrophs that can carry out photosynthesis. All organisms carrying out photosynthesis require sunlight. Plants are also photoautotrophs, a type of autotroph that uses sunlight and carbon from carbon dioxide to synthesize chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates. Oceanic algae contribute enormous quantities of food and oxygen to global food chains. ![]() Plants are the best-known autotrophs, but others exist, including certain types of bacteria and algae ( Figure 5.2). The Greek roots of the word autotroph mean “self” ( auto) “feeder” ( troph). ![]() An autotroph is an organism that can produce its own food. Some organisms can carry out photosynthesis, whereas others cannot. In short, to eat and breathe, humans depend almost entirely on the organisms that carry out photosynthesis.Ĭlick the following link to learn more about photosynthesis. Photosynthesis also results in the release of oxygen into the atmosphere. Therefore, directly or indirectly, the process of photosynthesis provides most of the energy required by living things on earth. The energy that is harnessed from photosynthesis enters the ecosystems of our planet continuously and is transferred from one organism to another. Cells then use this energy to perform work, such as cellular respiration. The energy used to hold these molecules together is released when an organism breaks down food. Through photosynthesis, certain organisms convert solar energy (sunlight) into chemical energy, which is then used to build carbohydrate molecules. Each cell runs on the chemical energy found mainly in carbohydrate molecules (food), and the majority of these molecules are produced by one process: photosynthesis. All living organisms on earth consist of one or more cells.
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