The Process of Photosynthesis
🌱 Photosynthesis is the process plants use to manufacture their own food, transforming water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$) into oxygen ($\text{O}_2$).
💧 Plants absorb water and mineral salts from the soil through the roots, forming a mixture called crude sap (savia bruta), which travels up the xylem to the leaves.
☀️ In the leaves, chloroplasts containing chlorophyll (which gives plants their green color) capture sunlight, allowing the crude sap and $\text{CO}_2$ to convert into elaborated sap (savia elaborada), which is distributed via the phloem.
💨 The byproduct of this conversion is the expulsion of oxygen; this entire process only occurs during the daytime because sunlight is required.

Photosynthesis vs. Plant Respiration
🌬️ Do not confuse photosynthesis with plant respiration, which plants perform continuously (day and night).
💨 During respiration, plants take in oxygen ($\text{O}_2$) and expel carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$).
🌍 Plants are crucial for life on Earth because they clean the air, allowing humans to breathe pure air.

Key Points & Insights
➡️ Photosynthesis relies on three main inputs: water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide ($\text{CO}_2$).
➡️ The resulting product that feeds the plant is elaborated sap, distributed through the phloem (vasos liberianos).
➡️ Always remember to care for and respect plants due to their vital role in air purification.

📸 Video summarized with SummaryTube.com on Nov 27, 2025, 01:44 UTC