Which gas is essential for the process of photosynthesis?

The essential gas for the process of photosynthesis is carbon dioxide. During photosynthesis, green plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen. This process mainly takes place in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures the light energy needed for this reaction.

Carbon dioxide is absorbed from the atmosphere through small openings in plant leaves called stomata. It is then used in the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, where it is converted into glucose, a form of stored energy that plants use for growth and metabolism.

Hydrogen is not directly used as a gas in the photosynthesis process; instead, it comes from water molecules, which are split to provide the necessary electrons and protons. While nitrogen is essential for the overall growth and development of plants, contributing to the formation of amino acids and proteins, it does not play a role in the process of photosynthesis itself. Oxygen, although a product of photosynthesis, is not required for the process to occur; rather, it is released as a byproduct after the conversion of carbon dioxide and water.