The scientist credited with the discovery of photosynthesis is Jan Ingenhousz.
Jan Ingenhousz (1730-1799), a Dutch-born British physician and scientist, is best known for discovering that green plants, when exposed to sunlight, absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This vital process is what we now know as photosynthesis.
| Key Figure | Contribution to Photosynthesis Understanding |
|---|---|
| Jan Ingenhousz | Discovered that plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen in sunlight. |
Essentially, Ingenhousz pinpointed the fundamental reaction of photosynthesis: the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by green plants, using carbon dioxide and water to produce sugars and oxygen. He demonstrated that this process is dependent on sunlight.
