Write the overall equation for photosynthesis:
The correct answer and explanation is:
The overall equation for photosynthesis is: 6CO2+6H2O+light energy⟶C6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \, energy \longrightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2
This equation summarizes the process in which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. Photosynthesis occurs mainly in the chloroplasts of plant cells, utilizing the green pigment chlorophyll to capture sunlight. The process can be divided into two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions).
In the light-dependent reactions, which take place in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and other pigments. This energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen, protons, and electrons. The oxygen is released as a byproduct. Additionally, energy from sunlight is used to generate ATP and NADPH, which are crucial for the next stage of photosynthesis.
In the Calvin cycle, occurring in the stroma of the chloroplasts, carbon dioxide is fixed into an organic molecule through a series of reactions. ATP and NADPH produced during the light-dependent reactions are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose, a form of stored chemical energy. Glucose can then be used by the plant for growth, reproduction, and energy storage or can be converted into other substances such as starch and cellulose.
Overall, photosynthesis is vital for life on Earth, as it provides the primary source of energy for nearly all ecosystems. It also plays a key role in the carbon cycle, helping to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce oxygen, which is essential for the respiration of most living organisms.