To be precise, it takes six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, torn apart by power from the sun, to form six molecules of oxygen and—the true aim of this whole process—one precious molecule of glucose. The plant uses the glucose to build new leaves, which will be used to make more glucose. It also shuttles the glucose down through its body, passing it into its underground architecture, where it is used to grow more roots, which will pull more water back up through its body, which will be torn apart to make more glucose. In this way, life unfurls.
