Question

Write a balanced equation for the photosynthesis reaction in which gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid water react in the presence of chlorophyll to produce aqueous glucose \(\left(\mathrm{C}_{6} \mathrm{H}_{12} \mathrm{O}_{6}\right)\) and oxygen gas.

Short answer

The balanced equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) -> C6H12O6(aq) + 6O2(g).

Step-by-step solution

Write the Unbalanced Equation

Begin by writing down all reactants and products that participate in the photosynthesis reaction without worrying about the stoichiometric coefficients. The reactants are gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) and liquid water (H2O), while the products are aqueous glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen gas (O2). The presence of chlorophyll is not included in the equation as it acts as a catalyst and does not get consumed in the reaction.

Add Stoichiometric Coefficients

Balance the equation by placing stoichiometric coefficients in front of the reactants and products. Start with carbon (C), followed by hydrogen (H) and then oxygen (O). You will find that for 6 carbon atoms in glucose, you need 6 CO2 molecules, and for 12 hydrogen atoms, you need 6 water molecules. To balance the oxygen, you will end up with 6 O2 molecules on the product side.

Verify the Balanced Equation

Check that the number of atoms of each element is the same on both sides of the equation. When it is balanced correctly, the number of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms will be equal on the reactant and product sides.

Write the Balanced Equation

Having balanced each of the elements, we can now write down the balanced equation for photosynthesis: 6CO2 (g) + 6H2O (l) -> C6H12O6 (aq) + 6O2 (g).

Key concepts

Chemical Reactions in Biology

In the realm of biology, chemical reactions are the core of life's processes. They involve the transformation of one set of chemical substances to another. Being well-versed in these reactions is vital for understanding how organisms grow, reproduce, and sustain their existence.

Photosynthesis is a quintessential example of a biological chemical reaction, where plants, algae, and some bacteria convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen, with the help of sunlight and chlorophyll. This reaction not only sustains the organism performing it but also supports life on Earth by producing oxygen and organic compounds that other organisms can consume.

In learning how this process works, students often face the challenge of grappling with the multiple components and stages involved. Simplifying this by breaking down the equation into reactants and products helps to demystify the process and allows for a more comprehensive understanding. In the case of photosynthesis, the reactants are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), while the products are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).

Stoichiometry

Stoichiometry is the section of chemistry that deals with the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. It is based on the conservation of mass and the concept that atoms are neither created nor destroyed during chemical reactions.

Students often wrestle with the concept of stoichiometry because it requires a careful and systematic approach to balance equations. The photosynthesis equation provides a prime example of stoichiometry in action. The process involves determining the correct proportions of reactants needed to produce the desired amount of products while ensuring that the number of atoms of each element is conserved.

For instance, when balancing the photosynthesis equation, we observe that for every glucose molecule formed, six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water are needed, producing one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. This ratio is crucial for maintaining the balance of matter and is represented in the equation as: \[6\text{CO}_2 \text{(g)} + 6\text{H}_2\text{O} \text{(l)} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_12\text{O}_6 \text{(aq)} + 6\text{O}_2 \text{(g)}\].

The ability to correctly balance a chemical equation is essential for predicting the outcomes of reactions and for understanding how different biological processes are interlinked.

Biochemical Processes

Biochemical processes are the intricate network of chemical reactions that occur within living organisms. These processes are driven by enzymes, which function as biological catalysts and are crucial for maintaining life's functions such as digestion, respiration, and, of course, photosynthesis.

In diving deeper into photosynthesis, it's important to realize that it is one of the most fundamental biochemical processes. Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, is essential in capturing light energy, which is then used to convert reactants into energy-rich glucose through a series of complex reactions.

Improving comprehension of biochemical processes involves recognizing that these reactions are interconnected and that they operate under specific conditions optimized by nature. For example, photosynthesis takes place within chloroplasts in plant cells, where necessary conditions such as light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and temperature are met.

By studying this process, students gain insight into how organisms interact with their environment and convert energy from one form to another, underpinning the vast network of life on Earth.