A chemical process that occurs in plants, algae, and some types of bacteria, when they are exposed to sunlight. During photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide combine to form carbohydrates (sugars) and give off oxygen. Photosynthesis is needed for animal and plant life. OR Plants take in carbon dioxide and water. They use the energy from the Sun to make new substances glucose and oxygen. Glucose and oxygen have a higher energy content than carbon dioxide and water. OR The use of light energy to produce carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and a reducing agent such as water. OR A complex process used by many plants and bacteria to build carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water, using energy derived from light. OR The biosynthesis that directly harnesses the chemical energy resulting from the absorption of lightFrequently used to refer to the formation of carbohydrates from CO2 that occurs in the chloroplasts of plants or the plastids of photosynthetic microorganisms. ORThe manufacture by plants of carbohydrates and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of chlorophyll with sunlight as the energy source. Oxygen and water vapor are released in the process. Photosynthesis is dependent on favorable temperature and moisture conditions as well as on the atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration. Increased levels of carbon dioxide can increase net photosynthesis in many plants. OR A nifty reaction carried out inside green plants, and by a number of different kinds of bacteria, which basically uses energy from the sun to run the combustion reaction backwards. OR Photosynthesis is the generation of glucose (and oxygen) from carbon dioxide and water in green plants. The reaction needs sunlight and chlorophyll to take place. OR Process in which water and carbon dioxide are combined in the presence of sunlight to produce glucose and oxygen.This is the process used by green plants to create their food.