"Photosynthetic" is spelled with the /f/ sound at the beginning of the word followed by the long "o" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /oʊ/. The second syllable in the word is pronounced with the short "e" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /ɛ/, followed by the /s/ and /θ/ sounds. The third syllable contains the long "ai" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /aɪ/. Finally, the fourth syllable contains the short "ih" sound, represented by the IPA symbol /ɪk/. This word refers to the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy in order to produce food.
Photosynthetic is an adjective that relates to or is involved in the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy. It is the fundamental process through which energy from the sun is captured and transformed into glucose, the primary energy source for organisms that rely on photosynthesis, such as plants and autotrophic microorganisms.
In the context of biology, photosynthetic refers to the capability of an organism or cell to carry out photosynthesis. Photosynthetic organisms contain specialized structures called chloroplasts, which contain the pigment chlorophyll used in the absorption of light energy. These organisms utilize carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, water from their environment, and light energy to produce oxygen as a byproduct and synthesize glucose.
The ability to photosynthesize is a vital characteristic that distinguishes autotrophs from heterotrophs. It enables photosynthetic organisms to create and store their own energy-rich molecules, allowing them to sustain their metabolic activities and promote growth. Photosynthetic processes play a crucial role in the carbon cycle and are also crucial for maintaining oxygen levels in the atmosphere, making them indispensable for the overall ecosystem.
In summary, photosynthetic refers to the ability of organisms or cells to convert light energy into chemical energy through the process of photosynthesis. It is a fundamental process that sustains life on Earth by providing energy and oxygen to support various biological activities.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "photosynthetic" is derived from two Greek words: "photo" meaning "light" and "synthesis" meaning "putting together" or "combining". The term was first coined by German scientist Theodor Wilhelm Engelmann in 1886 to describe the process by which plants use light energy to synthesize organic compounds, particularly carbohydrates, from carbon dioxide and water.