How many molecules of water are recycled when one molecule of glucose is created during photosynthesis?
3
12
6
1
6
The correct answer is 6 molecules of water are recycled when one molecule of glucose is created during photosynthesis.
To understand why, let's break down the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose. It occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
During photosynthesis, six molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) combine with six molecules of water (H2O) in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll to produce one molecule of glucose (C6H12O6) and six molecules of oxygen (O2). This is represented by the chemical equation:
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight + chlorophyll -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
From this equation, we can see that for every molecule of glucose produced, six molecules of water are used. However, it is important to note that during photosynthesis, the water molecules are not consumed but rather recycled. The water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen atoms during a process called photolysis, and the oxygen atoms are released as oxygen gas back into the atmosphere.
In summary, photosynthesis uses six molecules of water to create one molecule of glucose, and the water molecules are recycled in the process.