Photosynthesis Equation, Process and Stages of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis Equation

Photosynthesis is the process through which plants, some bacteria, and some protistans use the energy from sunlight to produce glucose. This process also produces carbon dioxide and water as by-products. It releases adenosine triphosphate i.e. ATP by cellular respiration. Also, it forms oxygen. In this topic, we will explain the photosynthesis equation will be explained.

Photosynthesis

Plants generally receive credit for being the base of food chains. Plant-like protists and one-celled organisms containing chloroplasts, hence they make their own contribution to the food chain and the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen.

They all perform photosynthesis. The word photosynthesis literally breaks down into photos, which means light and synthesis means composition.

So, photosynthesis means to put together using light. In addition, plants, algae and plant-like protists use sunlight to put together carbon dioxide and water to make sugar.

The Process of Photosynthesis

This process uses the energy of the sun to make the reaction of carbon dioxide and water to form glucose. Carbon dioxide enters the plants through tiny pores in the bottoms of leaves.

Water enters by various means, usually roots, but also by osmosis. The energy of the sun, absorbed by the green chemical chlorophyll, fuels the chemical reaction.

Then it combines the carbon dioxide molecules with the water molecules to form glucose. The glucose can be stored in fruits, roots, and stems of plants.

It can be released through the reverse process of respiration, where oxygen is used to break down the glucose into carbon dioxide and water, and releasing the stored energy.

Stages of Photosynthesis

When chlorophyll absorbs light energy, an electron gains energy and is then excited. The excited electron is transferred to another molecule i.e. acceptor.

The chlorophyll molecule is oxidized further and has a positive charge. Photoactivation of chlorophyll, as a result, split the water molecules and transfer the energy to ATP.

Photosynthesis comprises of two stages. These are a light-dependent reaction and light-independent reactions. The light-dependent reaction uses energy captured from sunlight by the chloroplasts in plant leaves.

It then produces a supply of electrons for the light-independent reactions. The light-independent reactions use energy from the supply of electrons to reduce carbon dioxide and finally produce glucose.

Photosynthesis Equation

Photosynthesis is a process in which green plants use light energy, carbon dioxide, and water. And it produces glucose, oxygen, and water. Therefore it converts light energy into chemical energy i.e. the glucose for use in the plants.

The reaction for photosynthesis is as given as follows:

\(6CO_{2} + 12H_{2}O \overset{Light}{\rightarrow} 6O_{2} + C_{6}H_{12}O_{6} + 6H_{2}O\)

The reaction is often reduced to:

\(6CO_{2} + 6H_{2}O \overset{Light}{\rightarrow} 6O_{2} + C_{6}H_{12}O_{6}\)

Now, we can break down each piece of the photosynthesis equation.

On the reactants side, we have:

6CO₂ has six molecules of carbon dioxide

12H₂O has twelve molecules of water

Light Energy has Light from the sun

On the products side, we have:

C₆H₁₂O₆ is glucose

6O₂ is six molecules of oxygen

6H₂O is six molecules of water

The plant uses Glucose as energy. It releases oxygen and water back into the atmosphere to help other living things. During photosynthesis, plants use light energy to combine carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose, oxygen, and water.

Photosynthesis is very important because it provides plants with the energy they need to survive. It also provides needed oxygen and water back into the atmosphere.

Products of Photosynthesis

Through cellular respiration, it converts the glucose into adenosine triphosphate i.e. ATP. In addition to glucose, this reaction also produces oxygen that the plants release into the atmosphere.

Solved Question for You

Q: Why Photosynthesis is important?

Ans: Photosynthesis is plants taking in water, carbon dioxide, and light to make glucose and oxygen. This is important because each and every living thing needs oxygen to survive. All producers make oxygen and glucose for the secondary consumers and then the carnivores eat animals that eat the plants.