Current Attempt in Progress Photosynthesis involves the use of sunlight to produce molecular oxygen and organic compounds. What theme in biochemistry does this support?
A Organisms evolve
B Cells maintain homeostasis
C Organisms transform energy
D There is a biochemical basis for diseases
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C) Organisms transform energy.
Photosynthesis is a biochemical process that allows plants, algae, and some bacteria to capture energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy. This process involves the absorption of light by pigments like chlorophyll, which leads to the production of glucose and molecular oxygen. Through photosynthesis, organisms transform energy from one form (sunlight) into another form (chemical energy stored in glucose). This transformation of energy is fundamental to life on Earth, as it provides the primary source of energy for almost all ecosystems.
In more detail, photosynthesis begins with light absorption by chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of plant cells. The absorbed energy excites electrons, initiating a series of reactions known as the light-dependent reactions. These reactions use sunlight to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are energy carriers. In the subsequent light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin cycle), the ATP and NADPH produced are used to fix carbon dioxide into glucose, a process that stores chemical energy. Oxygen is released as a byproduct, which is vital for aerobic organisms.
This energy transformation is crucial for life, as it not only sustains the plant itself but also indirectly supports other organisms that depend on plants for food. For example, herbivores consume plants to obtain the chemical energy stored in glucose, and carnivores consume herbivores. Through these interconnected relationships, energy flows through the food chain.
Thus, photosynthesis is a clear example of how organisms transform energy, and this process is central to sustaining life on Earth. The energy captured from sunlight is a key factor that supports biological functions and ecosystems.