A metabolic process involving plants and some types of bacteria (e.g. Chromataceae, Rhodospirillaceae, Chlorobiaceae) in which light energy absorbed by chlorophyll and other photosynthetic pigments results in the reduction of
CO2 followed by the formation of organic compounds. In plants the overall process involves the conversion of
CO2 and
H2O to carbohydrates (and other plant material) and the release of
O2 .
Sources:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2207 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)
PAC, 1992, 64, 143. 'Glossary for chemists of terms used in biotechnology (IUPAC Recommendations 1992)' on page 162 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199264010143)