Question

Photosynthesis Identify the products in the following reaction that occurs in plants: Carbon dioxide and water react to produce glucose and oxygen

Short answer

The products of the photosynthesis reaction are glucose (C_6H_{12}O_6) and oxygen (O_2). The reaction occurs in the presence of light energy, allowing plants to convert carbon dioxide and water into these products.

Step-by-step solution

Write down the balanced chemical equation of photosynthesis

The balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis is given by: \[6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow[]{light} C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2\] Here, - \(6CO_2\) are 6 molecules of carbon dioxide, - \(6H_2O\) are 6 molecules of water, - \(C_6H_{12}O_6\) is one molecule of glucose, - \(6O_2\) are 6 molecules of oxygen. The reaction occurs in the presence of light energy.

Identify the products of the reaction

From the balanced chemical equation of photosynthesis, the products of the reaction are glucose and oxygen. These are represented by: 1. Glucose (C6H12O6) 2. Oxygen (O2) These products are formed when the plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water. Glucose is a type of sugar that can be used for energy production or as a building block for more complex molecules, while oxygen is released as a byproduct of the process. So the products of the photosynthesis reaction are glucose and oxygen.

Key concepts

Balanced Chemical Equation

A balanced chemical equation is crucial in representing a chemical reaction accurately. It ensures that the number of atoms for each element is the same on both sides of the reaction, adhering to the law of conservation of mass. In photosynthesis, the balanced chemical equation is \[6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2\] The equation tells us that six molecules of carbon dioxide (\(CO_2\)) and six molecules of water (\(H_2O\)) react in the presence of light energy to produce one molecule of glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and six molecules of oxygen (\(O_2\)). This balance is achieved by ensuring that the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms on the reactant side equals the number on the product side.

Understanding and being able to identify the reactants and products in a balanced equation like this allows us to comprehend the proportional relationships and stoichiometry involved in chemical reactions, such as the number of molecules or moles needed or produced in the process.

Products of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is a remarkable biological process that converts light energy into chemical energy, producing essential substances for plant growth and oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere. The final products of photosynthesis, as depicted in the balanced chemical equation, are glucose (\(C_6H_{12}O_6\)) and oxygen (\(O_2\)).

Glucose is a simple sugar that serves as a primary energy source for plants. It's also a vital building block for cellulose and starch, which are necessary for plant structure and food storage, respectively. While for us humans, glucose from plants is also a critical source of food. Oxygen, on the other hand, is released into the atmosphere and is the very oxygen that all aerobic organisms, including humans, need for respiration and energy production. This highlights the interconnectedness of Earth's ecosystems and how plants are essential not only for their own survival but also for the well-being of other living beings.

Light-Dependent Reactions

Light-dependent reactions are the initial phase of photosynthesis, where sunlight is captured and used to produce energy-rich compounds. These reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. During this phase, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and other pigments, exciting electrons to a higher energy level.

These high-energy electrons travel through the electron transport chain, triggering the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are then used in the light-independent reactions to fix carbon dioxide and create glucose. The splitting of water molecules, referred to as photolysis, also occurs during this stage, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.

Understanding light-dependent reactions is essential because it reveals how plants convert solar energy into chemical energy, thus starting the intricate process of creating organic molecules from inorganic substances—a vital step that sustains life on Earth.