conduct photosynthesis

[ostap77]

Can I say that a plant conducts photosynthesis?

[freezeframe]

No.

You can say, for example, "plants use (the process) of photosynthesis to produce..."

[ostap77]

No.

You can say, for example, "plants use (the process) of photosynthesis to produce..."

Would I sound as if I'm showing smarts if I used photosynthesize?

[birdeen's call]

Would I sound as if I'm showing smarts, if I used photosynthesize?

Not to me.

[bhaisahab]

Not to me.

Nor to me. (If "showing smarts" means what I think it means)

[freezeframe]

Would I sound as if I'm showing smarts, if I used photosynthesize?

Depends on the context.

If you're talking about botany or gardening or something like that, no. If you're having a beer down at the pub and all of a sudden you say "photosynthesize", it might be slightly odd.

[ostap77]

Nor to me. (If "showing smarts" means what I think it means)

Yup. Intelligence in a way that other people would think that I'm showing off.

[ostap77]

Depends on the context.

If you're talking about botany or gardening or something like that, no. If you're having a beer down at the pub and all of a sudden you say "photosynthesize", it might be slightly odd.

You got ten points for that one

[SirGod]

Would I sound as if I'm showing smarts, if I used photosynthesize?

I don't think that there should be a comma. A comma is used in conditional clauses if the secondary sentence precedes the main sentence.

I would have killed her if she had said a word.
If she had said a word, I would have killed her.