Algae require carbon dioxide, water, and sunlight for photosynthesis.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
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Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Algae absorb carbon dioxide from their surrounding environment, be it water or moist surfaces. CO2 serves as the primary carbon source for building glucose molecules during photosynthesis.
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Water (H2O): Water is crucial for photosynthesis. It acts as a source of electrons in the light-dependent reactions.
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Sunlight: Algae contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures solar energy. This light energy drives the photosynthetic process, converting carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a sugar) and oxygen. Different types of chlorophyll exist, allowing algae to absorb various wavelengths of light.
In summary, just like plants, algae use these three essential ingredients to manufacture their own food (glucose) and release oxygen as a byproduct through the process of oxygenic photosynthesis.
