What is the process of making food from a leaf?

You're asking about photosynthesis, the process plants use to make food from sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water. Here's a breakdown:

1. Capturing Sunlight:

* Chlorophyll: Plants have a green pigment called chlorophyll in their leaves, which absorbs sunlight energy.

* Light-Dependent Reactions: This absorbed energy is used to split water molecules into hydrogen ions (H+), electrons, and oxygen gas.

2. Carbon Dioxide Absorption:

* Stomata: Tiny pores on the underside of leaves called stomata allow carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air to enter the leaf.

3. Building Sugar:

* Calvin Cycle (Light-Independent Reactions): The hydrogen ions and electrons, along with CO2, are used to create a simple sugar called glucose. This process doesn't directly require light but relies on the energy stored during the light-dependent reactions.

4. Energy Storage and Release:

* Glucose: This sugar is the plant's food source, providing it with energy for growth and other functions.

* Storage: Plants can store excess glucose as starch.

* Respiration: When needed, the stored starch is broken down through cellular respiration, releasing energy.

In Summary:

Photosynthesis is a complex chemical process that can be simplified as follows:

* Sunlight + Water + Carbon Dioxide --> Glucose (sugar) + Oxygen

This process is essential for life on Earth because it provides the food and oxygen that we need to survive.