	Site Map \| FAQ in Daily Almanac for Feb 10, 2012
Skip Navigation Home Black History Month Atlas Encyclopedia Dictionary Thesaurus Features Quizzes Timelines Countries

Fact Monster Kid's reference,
games, quizzes

Editor's Favorites

| Share

Encyclopedia—photosynthesis

Importance of Photosynthesis

Animals and plants both synthesize fats and proteins from carbohydrates; thus glucose is a basic energy source for all living organisms. The oxygen released (with water vapor, in transpiration) as a photosynthetic byproduct, principally of phytoplankton, provides most of the atmospheric oxygen vital to respiration in plants and animals, and animals in turn produce carbon dioxide necessary to plants. Photosynthesis can therefore be considered the ultimate source of life for nearly all plants and animals by providing the source of energy that drives all their metabolic processes.

Sections in this article:

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

Premium Partner Content

HighBeam Research

Related content from HighBeam Research on: photosynthesis: Importance of Photosynthesis

The phenomenon of photoinhibition of photosynthesis and its importance in reforestation. (The Botanical Review)

Regulation of root ion transporters by photosynthesis: Functional importance and relation with hexokinase (Plant Cell)

Mimicking photosynthesis. (Science)

Combined analyses of [O.sub.2] and C[O.sub.2] for studying the coupling of photosynthesis and respiration in aquatic systems.(Report) (Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences)

Tracer from the Sky.(photosynthesis) (Science)

The role of photosynthesis and CO2 evasion in travertine formation: a quantitative investigation at an important travertine-depositing hot spring, Le Zitelle, Lazio, Italy (Journal of the Geological Society)

Influences of the growth of the carbon dioxide emissions depending on the process of photosynthesis in Timisoara. (Annals of DAAAM & Proceedings)

The boreal dwarf shrub Vaccinium vitis-idaea retains its capacity for photosynthesis through the winter.(Report) (Canadian Journal of Botany)

Genetic Engineers Aim to Soup Up Crop Photosynthesis. (Science)

The effects of UV radiation A and B on diurnal variation in photosynthesis in three taxonomically and ecologically diverse microbial mats (Photochemistry and Photobiology)

Additional search results provided by HighBeam Research, LLC. © Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

A free, reliable Q&A site for homework help. Answerplease.com

24 X 7

Private Tutor

	24 x 7 Tutor Availability
	Unlimited Online Tutoring
	1-on-1 Tutoring

Explore Types Of Lines , Math Problems