What do plants primarily need for photosynthesis?

Plants primarily need carbon dioxide and sunlight for photosynthesis because these two components are essential for the photosynthetic process that converts light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, plants absorb sunlight through their leaves using chlorophyll, the green pigment that captures light energy. Simultaneously, they take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through small openings in their leaves called stomata.

With the energy from sunlight, plants utilize carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen in a chemical reaction that occurs in the chloroplasts. Glucose serves as an essential energy source for the plant, while oxygen is released as a byproduct into the atmosphere. The combination of both carbon dioxide and sunlight is thus vital for sustaining the process of photosynthesis, allowing plants to manufacture their own food and ultimately support life on Earth by contributing to the oxygen supply and the food chain.