The chemistry of life can ultimately be referred to two chemical processes: (1) the use of solar energy to drive chemical reactions that produce oxygen and carbohydrate from dioxide and water, and (2) the oxidation of the products of (1)with the production of carbon dioxide, water, and energy. Two important aspects of life will be of interest to us: (1) the ability to capture solar energy ;(2) the ability to employ catalysts for the controlled release of that energy. The equation for photosynthesis is a very complex process, each with multiple steps. These two stages of photosynthesis are known as the light reaction and Calvin cycle.