This document provides an overview of photosynthesis. It begins by defining photosynthesis as the process by which plants and algae use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to produce oxygen and energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. It then discusses the historical background and discovery of photosynthesis. The remainder of the document describes the key components of photosynthesis, including the two photochemical processes (photosystem I and photosystem II), the light-dependent reactions, and the mechanisms of cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation that generate ATP using energy from excited electrons. In closing, it thanks the reader and lists references used.