The process of photosynthesis in plain language

It is unlikely that any of us, observing the world around us, thought about the fact that every green leaf on a tree or bush is an amazing, in fact, spontaneous laboratory, one of the most mysterious and remarkable of all that exists on Earth. The fact is that in this sheet almost every second, while the light of the sun gets on it, a great dream is realized not only for biochemists, science fiction writers, but for every person: a living being is created from the lifeless. Indeed, it seems truly amazing that only a green plant without any up-to-date technologies and devices can create a living substance. Therefore, it is not at all an exaggeration to say that this process - the process of photosynthesis - is a real and unique nowhere else "creativity of life". This creation begins with the work of a prisoner in a plant of the sun's rays. This complex biochemical process is the process of photosynthesis.

We know about photosynthesis from the school curriculum, other sources. We know that the materials necessary to reproduce the process of photosynthesis are extremely simple: carbon dioxide, water, solar energy. But behind them come into contact with various salt solutions, which are delivered by plant roots from the soil.

All the vegetation around us, the whole fauna, at last, we ourselves (people) are simple consumers of a wonderful green kitchen.

Predators use for food of herbivores, those, in turn, plants. Thus there is a process in which everyone lives at the expense of food, which is prepared by green plants.

In a word, green plants are common "breadwinners". However, this can not be limited, because we should not forget about the air we breathe. After all, these plants and the process of photosynthesis occurring in them, through chemical transformations, lead to the liberation of pure oxygen. And we can quite confidently assume that oxygen, which is in the air as one of its components, is provided to us by green plants. In fact, millions of years created plant cells this volatile shell of the globe - the atmosphere, life without which it is simply impossible. Indeed, with great difficulty one can imagine what the Earth would be if there were no plants on it, and consequently, other living organisms and beings that are somehow connected with them.

Most likely, the terrestrial continents would resemble the surface of a desert planet, and all this would be enveloped in deadly carbon dioxide and caustic ammonia. So it would be, if there were no plants on the Earth and, therefore, life could not exist as such.

So what is the power that gives all this, and where is its source? The source of such power is our Sun. Green leaves, like solar mechanisms, concentrate in themselves solar energy. And then work begins on the Earth, during which the sunbeam turns into a green leaf because of all the life around us.

So, we can say this: the energy of the Sun in a certain way "landed" green plants, and then began to use it to shape life on Earth itself.

So, without resorting to precise and rather incomprehensible scientific formulations, a general characteristic of photosynthesis may appear.

It can only occur in an undamaged sheet. This can be seen if a glass rod under a slight pressure is rolled over the surface of a living, green leaf (i.e., damaging its internal structure without any noticeable external changes) - photosynthesis will immediately stop.

Many discoveries of natural science were obtained by very simple, uncomplicated experiments. And on the same simple experiments it is possible to prove again and again the great scientific truths.

Van Helmont, Frederick Blackman, KA Timiryazev justified their theory that green leaves in the light (that is, when a sunbeam falls on them) absorb carbon dioxide from the air and release oxygen into the atmosphere. We can always make sure with our own eyes how photosynthesis reaction occurs.

For this it is necessary to place a green leaf in a glass jar (in winter it is possible and from a houseplant). Then make a normal exhalation in this jar and immediately put a burning match in the jar. We will see that the match instantly goes out.

Consequently, this was due to the fact that there is a lot of carbon dioxide in the exhaled air - about four and a half percent. And this gas, as we know, does not support combustion.

Let's continue the experiment. Without delay, we will close the jar with the green branch with a tight, tight stopper so that the air outside can not penetrate it, and expose it to a sunny or bright electric light. We will repeat our actions with a match a few hours later. In this case, we will see that it, dropped into the jar, will not go out, but will burn. It becomes obvious that the air inside the jar with the green branch again became suitable for burning in it. This happened because the carbon dioxide has become smaller, and oxygen is more.

That's the way life seems to be as simple as it seems at first glance.