1Green plants possess a remarkable ability to produce their own food using nothing more than sunlight.
2This process, which is known as photosynthesis, takes place inside tiny structures within each green leaf.
3The leaves contain chlorophyll, a green pigment which captures the energy carried by the sun's rays.
4At the same time, the roots absorb water from the soil and carry it upwards.
5Tiny openings on the underside of the leaf take in carbon dioxide from the surrounding air.
6Inside the leaf, sunlight provides the energy to combine water and carbon dioxide into sugar.
7This sugar feeds the whole plant and helps it grow new leaves, flowers and fruit.
8As a welcome bonus, the plant releases oxygen back into the atmosphere for us to breathe.
9Nearly every living creature on our planet depends, directly or indirectly, on photosynthesis for its survival.
10Without this quiet chemical miracle, our planet would be a cold, lifeless and airless place.