Cells in the plant's leaves, called chloroplasts , contain a green pigment called chlorophyll which interacts with sunlight to split the water in the plant into its basic components. Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through holes called stomata and combines with the stored energy in the chloroplasts through a chemical reaction to produce a simple sugar. The sugar is then transported through tubes in the leaf to the roots, stems and fruits of the plants. Fortunately for us, plants often produce more food than they need, which they store in stems, roots, seeds or fruit. We can obtain this energy directly by eating the plant itself or its products, like carrots, rice or potatoes.
Photosynthesis is the first step in the food chain which connects all living things.
Every creature on earth depends to some degree on green plants. The oxygen that is released by the process of photosynthesis is an essential exchange for all living things. But every year, over 28 million acres of tropical forest are cut and then burned to clear land for farming. Things to Talk About The Newton's Apple segment on photosynthesis talks about a few of the implications of rain forest destruction for people around the world. Chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight which a plant uses to make food.