Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll pigment. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Light Energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ This process occurs in two main stages: 1. Light-Dependent Reactions: These reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes* of chloroplasts. Chlorophyll* and other pigments absorb light energy. This energy is used to split water molecules (photolysis), releasing oxygen (O₂), protons (H⁺), and electrons. The electrons move through an electron transport chain*, generating ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are energy-carrying molecules. 2. Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle): These reactions occur in the stroma* of chloroplasts and do not directly require light. ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). This process involves a series of enzyme-catalyzed reactions, where CO₂ is "fixed" and reduced to form sugars.