(mÄth'Än') A colorless, odorless, flammable gas that is the simplest hydrocarbon. It is the major constituent of natural gas and is released during the decomposition of plant or other organic compounds, as in marshes and coal mines. Methane is the first member of the alkane series.
Photosynthesis is the process by which organisms that contain the pigment chlorophyll convert light energy into chemical energy which can be stored in the molecular bonds of organic molecules (e.g., sugars). Photosynthesis powers almost all trophic chains and food webs on the Earth.
Photosynthesis uses the energy of light to make the sugar, glucose. A simplified general equation for photosynthesis follows. 6 CO2 + 12 H2O + light â C6H12O6 + 6 O2 + 6 H2O Carbon Dioxide + Water + Light energy â Glucose + Oxygen + Water Photosynthesis occurs in two stages.