HomeCuriosity CornerDecember 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

December 8 – Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

  Posted on December 8, 2021


This is an update of my post published on December 8, 2010:


December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz


The Dutch scientist Jan Ingenhousz (1730-1799) discovered photosynthesis and also discovered that plants, like animals, have cellular respiration. Those are major, major discoveries—but not what he was best known for in his own lifetime. His claims to fame back then were:

(1) his successful inoculation of the royal Habsburg family of Austria – a kind of vaccination against the dreadful and deadly smallpox disease, and 

(2) his appointment as the doctor of the Empress Maria Theresa.

Ingenhousz did a lot of work in biology and chemistry in at least six different European countries and corresponded many times with an important American, Benjamin Franklin. 

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use the energy in sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into sugars and oxygen. In other words, it is the process by which plants makes their own food!

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz


Actually, plants don’t just make their own food—the photosynthesis by plants, some bacteria, and algae creates the basis of almost all food chains and therefore form the foundation of almost all life on earth—providing both food and oxygen for animals.

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Check out to Peter Weatherall’s song about photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis starts in a plant cell’s chloroplasts. The green pigment chlorophyll is crucial to most photosynthesis.

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz


Cellular respiration is pretty much the opposite of photosynthesis. It is the process by which plant and animal cells break down food (such as sugars) in order to obtain energy. The process requires oxygen.

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Find out more at Biology 4 Kids
Here is a straightforward video about respiration and photosynthesis. 

Respiration occurs inside cells’ mitochondria.

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz


To review:

Photosynthesis — carbon dioxide + water + energy (sunlight) = sugar + oxygen

Respiration — sugar + oxygen = carbon dioxide + water + energy (to grow or move or repair cells or reproduce)

Ready for another song – this one about both photosynthesis and cellular respiration? Here it is. 


Also on this date:



December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz


Artist Diego Rivera’s birthday 







December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz
Anniversary of a lemon-squeezing device





December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day







December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Blessing of the Waters Day in Uruguay

December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz



Rock musician Jim Morrison’s birthday



December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Battle of Falkland Islands Day







December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz
Constitution Day in Uzbekistan





December 8 - Happy Birthday, Jan Ingenhousz

Mother’s Day in Panama







Plan ahead:


Check out my Pinterest pages on:
  • December holidays 
  • December birthdays
  • Historical anniversaries in December

And here are my Pinterest boards for:

  • January holidays 
  • January birthdays 
  • Historical anniversaries in January

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