Which equation best summarizes the overall reactions of photosynthesis?
A.
6CO2 + 6O2 → C6H1206 + 6H2O
B.
6O2 + C6H1206 → 6CO2 + 6H2O
C.
6O2 + 6H2O + 6O2 → C6H1206
D.
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2
D. 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2
The correct equation that best summarizes the overall reactions of photosynthesis is option D:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2
The correct equation that summarizes the overall reactions of photosynthesis is option A:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2
To understand why this equation is correct, let's break it down:
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy and produce glucose (C6H12O6) as the primary end product. They do this by using carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and water (H2O) from the environment.
In the equation, the reactants are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), and the products are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).
The equation indicates that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water combine to form one molecule of glucose and release six molecules of oxygen. This equation represents the overall reaction for photosynthesis.
So, option A, 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H1206 + 6O2, correctly summarizes the overall reactions of photosynthesis.