How do autotrophs capture the energy in sunlight?

Question

Sebastian Alvarez · Accepted Answer

Sunlight is absorbed by the green pigment, chlorophyll and the solar energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of #"ATP"#.

Autotrophs capture sunlight by the pigment chlorophyll and is used for the synthesis of glucose #(C_6H_12O_6)# from simple, inorganic substances like #CO_2# and #H_2O# during photosynthesis. There are two steps in photosynthesis: 1. Hill's response 2. A somber response Light reaction or Hill's reaction involves capturing sunlight and converting solar energy into chemical energy in the form of #"ATP"#. This occurs by breakdown of water into #H^+# ions and #O^(2-)# ions. This is termed by photolysis of water. Excited electrons from #O^(2-)# pass through a series of electron carriers, losing energy during their passage. This energy is converted into #"ATP"#. The remaining#H^+# ions reduce #"NADP"# to #"NADPH"#. #"ATP"# and #"NADPH"# produced during light reaction are used in the dark reaction for reduction of #CO_2# to #C_6H_12O_6#.

Benjamin Alvin · Answer

undefined Autotrophs capture the energy in sunlight through a process called photosynthesis. In photosynthesis, autotrophs use chlorophyll, a pigment in their cells, to absorb sunlight. This energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a form of chemical energy that can be used by the autotroph for growth and metabolism. Oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process.