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Dust & Debris Effect on Photosynthesis

Plants, bacteria and other protistans use the energy of sunlight to produce sugar in a process called photosynthesis. The plants' cellular respiration changes that sugar into adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a fuel used and required by every living thing. Dust and debris on leaves block the sunlight, making the process less efficient.

  1. Purpose

    • Not only do plants produce the oxygen humans need, but also the nutrients humans get from eating food -- both plants and meat from animals who eat plants. The only reason life is sustainable on this planet is because of plant photosynthesis.

    How It Works

    • Plants take the energy of sunlight into their system through the leaves. The plants use this light, along with a chemical called chlorophyll, to change carbon dioxide, water, nutrients in the soil and other materials into the food the plants requires to survive and grow. Similar to the carbon dioxide humans release as they breathe out, the plant releases oxygen as a part of the photosynthesis process. That carbon dioxide humans release is used by plants in this process and the oxygen released by plants is what other living organisms use.

    Other Functions

    • Photosynthesis has other benefits to humans as well as animals and other plants. The process allows plants to produce sugars, starches and fats that produces the vegetables humans and other animals eat. Many animals are vegetarians and only eat plants, leaves or other foliage to generate the energy they need to survive. Humans eat those animals for protein and energy. Several of the fossil fuels, such as oil and natural gas, come from plants and animals that lived many years ago.

    Effects

    • Anything that effects the photosynthesis process can eliminate life on Earth. Dust clouds in the atmosphere, severe dust on the leaves or a coating of debris prevents the plant leaves from receiving the sunlight used to begin the photosynthesis process. The dust and debris does not allow plants to create the food and energy required for the plants to reproduce as well as release the oxygen humans require.

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