The word âexpediteâ simply means âto perform quicklyâ. The word itself is derived from Latin. The prefix âexâ (meaning âoutâ) and the word âpedâ (meaning âfootâ) originally came together in âexpedireâ (âfreeing the footâ), though soon afterwards someone swanned in with a âtâ and it became âexpediteâ.
The raw materials of photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide, enter the cells of the leaf, and the products of photosynthesis, sugar and oxygen, leave the leaf. Cross section of a leaf, showing the anatomical features important to the study of photosynthesis: stoma, guard cell, mesophyll cells, and vein. Image from Purves et al., , 4th Edition, by Sinauer Associates (www.sinauer.com) and WH Freeman (www.whfreeman.com), used with permission.
The three types of photosynthesis are C3, C4 and CAM photosynthesis. The definition of photosynthesis and the general equation can be found under Overview of Photosynthesis. Plants perform photosynthesis because it generates the food and energy they need for growth and cellular respiration. It is important to note that not all plants photosynthesize. Some are parasites and simply attach themselves to other plants and feed from them.