Overview of Photosynthesis
What are the reactants and products of photosynthesis?
Goal:
Goal:
Believe it or not, humans would not survive without photosynthesis. The process of photosynthesis takes carbon dioxide from our atmosphere and turns it into oxygen! A plant requires sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make both sugar and oxygen.
The entire process of photosynthesis can be described by one simple-looking chemical formula:
6CO2 + 6H2O + Sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O2
carbon dioxide + water + sunlight → sugar + oxygen
As you can see, plants take in carbon dioxide and give off oxygen as they create energy. The oxygen from the water is released into the atmosphere. We, and almost all other animals, take in oxygen and give off carbon dioxide as we produce energy.
It is important to keep in mind the inputs and outputs of photosynthesis. Think about these questions, then click the question to check your answer.
For photosynthesis to take place, water from the roots, carbon dioxide from the air, and energy from the sunlight are needed.
Photosynthesis creates glucose (sugar) used for/stored as food and releases oxygen into the air.