Write the overall equation (word and chemical) for the process of photosynthesis.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The process of photosynthesis is the way plants convert light energy into chemical energy, storing it in glucose molecules. The overall equation can be written in both word and chemical forms.
Word Equation:
Carbon dioxide + Water + Light energy → Glucose + Oxygen
Chemical Equation:
6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
Explanation:
Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll, a green pigment, absorbs light, primarily from the sun. This light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide (from the air) and water (from the soil) into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen.
In the first stage of photosynthesis, known as the light-dependent reactions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, which excites electrons and splits water molecules. This process releases oxygen as a by-product and generates energy-rich molecules, ATP and NADPH.
The second stage is the Calvin cycle, or light-independent reactions, where ATP and NADPH produced in the first stage are used to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. In this cycle, carbon dioxide is fixed into an organic molecule and, through a series of chemical reactions, forms glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆).
Glucose produced in photosynthesis serves as a primary energy source for the plant. It can be used immediately for energy or stored as starch for later use. Oxygen is released into the atmosphere, providing a crucial element for aerobic organisms, including humans, to breathe.
This process is vital for the ecosystem, as it is the foundation of the food chain. Plants produce the energy that sustains almost all living organisms, and the oxygen produced is essential for respiration in animals.