photosynthesis

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
The printable version is no longer supported and may have rendering errors. Please update your browser bookmarks and please use the default browser print function instead.

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology

photo- +‎ synthesis

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˌfəʊ.təʊ.ˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/, [ˌfəʊ.tʰəʊ.ˈsɪn̪.θə.sɪs]
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˌfoʊ.toʊ.ˈsɪn.θə.sɪs/, [ˌfŏʊ.ɾoʊ.ˈsɪn̪.θə.sɪs]
  • Audio (UK):(file)

Noun

photosynthesis (usually uncountable, plural photosyntheses)

  1. (biochemistry, organic chemistry) Any process by which plants and other photoautotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy.
    1. principally, oxygenic photosynthesis, any process by which plants and algae convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy.
      • 2013 September-October, Katie L. Burke, “In the News”, in American Scientist:
        Oxygen levels on Earth skyrocketed 2.4 billion years ago, when cyanobacteria evolved photosynthesis: the ability to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates and waste oxygen using solar energy.
    2. also, non-oxygenic photosynthesis, used by purple and green bacteria, heliobacteria, and acidobacteria.

Derived terms

Translations

See also