10 Steps of Photosynthesis

Step One (Light Reaction)

Three ingredients are needed: water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide. Water is drawn up from the plant's roots to its stem, carbon dioxide enters through the pores on the leaves of the plant, and sunlight is absorbed to provide energy for the entire process.

Step Two (Light Reaction)

Green chloroplasts, shaped like footballs, turn to get the best angle of sunlight

Step Three (Light Reaction)

Chlorophyll, in the chloroplasts, starts to absorb the sunlight once chloroplasts have located it which activates or "turns on" the chlorophyll

Step Four (Light Reaction)

The chlorophyll splits the water molecule producing hydrogen and oxygen gas

Step Five (Light Reaction)

Oxygen gas is released in the air through the pores of the leaves

Step Six (Light Reaction)

The hydrogen is seized by the escort molecule NADP+ and is used in the dark reaction (next step).

Step Seven (Light Reaction)

Chlorophyll deactivates and releases ATP which is the energy needed for the chemical reactions in the dark reaction

Step Eight (Dark Reaction)

CO2 lines up with the acceptor (rubisco) module which is in the chloroplast

Step Nine (Dark Reaction)

The hydrogen molecule is led by the escort molecule NADP+, powered by ATP, combines with carbon dioxide and the acceptor (rubisco) to form the highly reactive compound PGA (Phosphoglyceric acid)

Step Ten (Dark Reaction)

PGA molecules combine to form sugar, which is stored in the plant for food