Chapter 13, Problem 16RQ

Summary Introduction

To explain:

The source of molecular oxygen in photosynthesis.

Given:

Overall equation of photosynthesis:

${\text{6CO}}_{\text{2}}\text{+}{\text{6H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O+Sunlight}\to {\text{C}}_{\text{6}}{\text{H}}_{\text{12}}{\text{O}}_{\text{6}}{\text{+6O}}_{\text{2}}$

Introduction:

Photosynthesis is a biochemical process in which sunlight (light energy) is converted into chemical energy (sugar: glucose), in the presence of carbondioxide and water. It is a process occurring in all the green plants, some protistans, and some bacteria. The sugar molecules produced are a source of fuel or energy, which further get converted into ATP.

Photolysis is a process in which water molecule splits into hydrogen, oxygen, and electrons, in the presence of sunlight.