What is photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a chemical process through which plants, some bacteria

and algae, produce glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water,
using only light as a source of energy.

This process is extremely important for life on earth as it provides the oxygen
that all other life depends on.

Light and dark reactions in photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is divided in two parts:
1. Light-dependent reactions (light reactions).
2. Light-independent reactions (dark reactions).

Light reactions need light to produce organic energy molecules (ATP

and NADPH). They are initiated by colored pigments, mainly green
colored chlorophylls.
Dark reactions make use of these organic energy molecules (ATP and
NADPH). This reaction cycle is also called Calvin Benison Cycle, and it
occurs in the stroma. ATP provides the energy, while NADPH provides
the electrons required to fix the CO2 (carbon dioxide) into
carbohydrates.