Summary
Highlights
The term 'photosynthesis' comes from the Greek words 'photo' meaning light, and 'synthesis' meaning putting together. Essentially, it means using light to put things together. Plants use this process to create their food with the help of sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Plants breathe just like humans, using tiny openings called stomata on their leaves to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen.
The leaves of plants contain tiny pigments called chloroplasts. These chloroplasts take in carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight, converting them into sugar (which serves as food for the plant) and oxygen.
Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in chloroplasts, giving plants their green color. Plants are often called the 'lungs of the world' because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which is essential for human respiration.