Photosynthesis ‒ Leaf

Photosynthesis occurs in two sequential stages: **light-dependent reactions** and **light-independent reactions**. In the light-dependent reactions, chlorophyll absorbs sunlight, converting it into stored chemical energy. This energy is then used in the light-independent reactions, where the chemical energy produced drives the synthesis of sugar molecules from carbon dioxide. Although light-independent reactions do not directly require light, they rely on the products generated by the light-dependent reactions. Several enzymes involved in the light-independent reactions are also activated by light. The light-dependent reactions use specific molecules, known as energy carriers, to temporarily store the absorbed energy. These energy carriers, which transfer energy to the light-independent reactions, can be thought of as "full" because they are energy-rich after the light-dependent phase. *LICENSES AND ATTRIBUTIONS CC licensed content, Shared previously, Overview of Photosynthesis, Authored by: OpenStax College. License: CC BY: Attribution. License Terms: Download for free at https://cnx.org/contents/GFy_h8cu@9.36:W7ctJeSI@8/Overview-of-Photosynthesis.*