Academy

Module 01 · Microalgae 101

How photosynthesis works

Turning sunlight, water, and CO2 into fuel and oxygen.

Photosynthesis is how the cell makes its own fuel. The overall reaction is simple to write: 6 CO2 + 6 H2O, driven by light, become C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2. Behind that one line are four steps.

First, light harvesting: pigments absorb incoming solar energy. Second, fixation: the cell takes in carbon dioxide and water. Third, electron transport: the absorbed light excites electrons and passes them down a chain that drives the chemistry. Fourth, energy conversion: the cell assembles those inputs into high-energy sugars to fuel growth, and releases pure oxygen as the byproduct.

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Equation

pure oxygen

Byproduct

chlorophyll pigments

Engine

Key takeaways

  • Photosynthesis converts light, water, and CO2 into sugar and oxygen.
  • It runs in four steps: harvest light, fix carbon, move electrons, build fuel.
  • Chlorophyll is the pigment that makes the whole process possible.

Educational material, framed as general science. It describes how the platform and its compounds work; it is not medical advice and makes no disease-treatment claims.

One platform. Four markets.

Now you know the science. See how it becomes a product, or talk to the team.