Question

A tree takes in carbon dioxide, \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\), and water vapor, \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\), from the air while also releasing oxygen, \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\). Does the tree lose or gain weight through the process? Explain.

Short answer

A tree gains weight through photosynthesis as it converts CO2 into biomass.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, such as trees, convert carbon dioxide (\(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\)) and water (\(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\)) into glucose (\(\mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6\)) and oxygen (\(\mathrm{O}_2\)) using energy from sunlight. The chemical equation for photosynthesis is:\[6 \mathrm{CO}_2 + 6 \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O} + light \ energy \rightarrow \mathrm{C}_6\mathrm{H}_{12}\mathrm{O}_6 + 6 \mathrm{O}_2\]This equation indicates that carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen.

Analyzing Matter Conversion

During photosynthesis, carbon dioxide from the air is fixed into glucose, a solid substance, increasing the mass of the tree. The production of glucose results in the storage of carbon, which forms part of the tree's biomass (e.g., wood, leaves, etc.).

Assessing Weight Change

Trees take in carbon dioxide and incorporate the carbon into their structure while releasing oxygen. Since oxygen, a lighter, gaseous byproduct, is released, the overall mass accumulation from carbon (captured in sugars and other compounds) is greater than the mass loss from released oxygen. Therefore, trees gain weight as they build biomass from photosynthesis.

Key concepts

Carbon Dioxide

In the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide ( CO_2 ) plays a vital role as one of the primary reactants. Trees and other green plants capture carbon dioxide from the air. They use specialized cell structures called stomata to absorb it.

• This captured CO2 is crucial as it provides the carbon atom, an essential building block, utilized in creating glucose.
• Through the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is fixed; that means it's integrated into more complex organic molecules inside the plant.

Once inside the plant, carbon dioxide is transformed rather than released, contributing significantly to the plant's biomass. This action ultimately aids the plant in its growth by building solid matter.

Glucose

Glucose ( C_6H_{12}O_6 ) is the main product of photosynthesis, and it's essential in providing energy and building material for plants. During photosynthesis, trees convert absorbed carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight.

• This sugar serves multiple purposes: it's both a source of energy and a building block for other vital structures in the plant.
• The creation of glucose is a key step in increasing the plant's biomass, as it contributes to building cell walls, fibers, and other structures.

Plants store energy in the form of glucose, which can later be transformed into other forms of energy the plant requires for growth and development.

Oxygen Release

During the process of photosynthesis, oxygen ( O_2 ) is produced as a byproduct. This production occurs when water molecules are split to release electrons, hydrogen ions, and oxygen gas during light-dependent reactions.

• The release of oxygen is important not just for the plant, as it diffuses out into the atmosphere, enriching the air we breathe.
• It’s a significant aspect of the photosynthetic equation, improving environmental air quality globally.

Though oxygen consists of a lighter gaseous form, its release does not lessen the tree's weight gain since the mass increase from solid glucose production surpasses it.

Biomass

Biomass refers to the total mass of living organisms in a given area, and in the context of photosynthesis, it signifies the plant's total substance.

• The biomass of a tree includes wood, leaves, roots, stems, and other structures.
• As trees assimilate carbon dioxide into glucose, they grow larger, resulting in an increase in their biomass.

Photosynthesis plays a crucial role in enhancing biomass by transforming gaseous matter into solid forms within plants, aiding their continuous growth and development.

Matter Conversion

Matter conversion is the transformation of matter from one form to another, which is the essence of photosynthesis.

• Carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose, a solid substance, and oxygen gas, showing the chemical transformation that occurs.
• This conversion results in the accumulation of mass, as solid biomass is created, leading to a tangible weight gain in plants.

Such transformation highlights the efficiency of photosynthesis in altering matter, contributing to the substantial growth of plant life on Earth.