Plants And Humans: A Planet In Balance

Plants and Humans live in a happy equilibrium. Plants undergo a process called photosynthesis, which enables them tomake their own food. Plants take in carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) from their environment, and turn it into Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and Oxygen (O₂). This reaction requires sunlight for energy, and is therefore called an Endothermic Reaction. Photosynthesis can be effected by many factors including light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature.

Humans, and other animals, need the oxygen supplied by plants to survive. We undergo a process called respiration, taking in Oxygen and Glucose, and forming Carbon Dioxide, Water, and Energy called ATP. This Energy can then be used by the cell. The Carbon Dioxide formed in released into the atmosphere, where it can used by plants during photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (sunlight) __> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

Respiration

C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ __> 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Energy (ATP)

These equations have been balanced so that the number of atoms on one side of the equation is the same as on the other.