Image source: Adapted from http://www.biologycorner.com/APbiology/cellular/notes_photosynthesis1.html

What is chlorophyll fluorescence?

Perspective from photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, plants, photosynthetic bacteria, and photosynthetic algae transform light energy and carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). Three competing processes distribute light energy within cells: about 1-2% of absorbed light enery is emitted via cholorphyll flourescence with the remaining energy going to photochemical processes and excess energy dissipated as heat.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis reactions take place in two phases: light dependent and light independent. During the light-dependent phase, chlorophyll absorbs light energy and produces O2, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). The light-independent phase uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 and water (H20) into glucose.

6CO2 + 6H2O --------> C6H12O6 + 6O2