This document summarizes the process of photosynthesis. It describes how photosynthetic organisms like plants, algae and cyanobacteria are able to convert solar energy into chemical energy by using light, water, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll. The two main stages are the light-dependent reactions where ATP and NADPH are produced, and the light-independent Calvin cycle where carbohydrates are produced using the ATP and NADPH. Variations like C4 and CAM pathways that some plants use to fix carbon dioxide are also outlined.