What Are the End Products of Photosynthesis

What Are the End Products of Photosynthesis?

Answer: Plants are autotrophs because they synthesize their own food by the process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process in which plants use sunlight and water to form glucose and oxygen. It is not as easy as it seems. There are many several steps combined into one single equation representing the process of photosynthesis. 

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy = C6H12O6 + 6O2

CO2: carbon dioxide

H2O: water

C6H12O6: glucose

O2: oxygen

Reactants of Photosynthesis

The plants take the exhaled carbon dioxide through the small opening in their leaves known as stomata. Plants suck the water through their roots present in the surrounding soil. The water is carried up to the leaves through the xylem tissues.

Initiation of Photosynthesis

Plant cells have organelles called chloroplasts which are specialized for carrying out the process of photosynthesis using water, carbon dioxide, and sunlight. Their thylakoid membrane has a pigment called chlorophyll which has the ability to absorb the photons (light energy) from the sun. 

During these reactions, water is broken down into its constituent hydrogen and oxygen ions, and high energy molecules are produced. These molecules are NADPH and ATP. They are used in the formation of glucose. Electrons and hydrogen ions are used to build NADPH. The hydrogen ion is used in the conversion of ADP to ATP. 

Products of Photosynthesis

The oxygen ion combines to form oxygen gas. The oxygen leaves the plant leaves through stomata. The light dependent reactions along with the energy power molecules (ATP and NADPH) break down carbon dioxide molecules into a form that is used to build glucose. 

Glucose is made into larger sugar molecules like sucrose or carbohydrates like starch or cellulose.