What Reactant Is Required for Photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis involves using light energy to produce glucose and oxygen from carbon dioxide and water. Plants photosynthesize to provide energy they need for respiration.
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The Photosynthesis Equation
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Carbon dioxide and water, in addition to light, are the reactants required for photosynthesis. The following equation displayed on the Estrella Mountain Community College website shows how the reactants in photosynthesis are used to produce glucose and oxygen:
6H2O + 6CO2 + energy from light ' C6H12O6 + 6O2
Six molecules of water and six molecules of carbon dioxide, plus energy from light, produce glucose and six molecules of oxygen.
Obtaining Carbon Dioxide
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In the case of plants, carbon dioxide is obtained from the surrounding atmosphere via microscopic pores, called stomata, on the plant leaves. The stomata can be opened or closed based on the presence of two guard cells, preventing water from being lost during the night when photosynthesis cannot take place.
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Obtaining Water
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Plants collect water from the ground via the root system. Water enters the root hairs by osmosis and is transported to the leaves by the xylem cells. Once in the leaves, the water is used along with carbon dioxide for photosynthesis.
Sunlight
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Energy from light is required to combine the carbon dioxide and water. In all photosynthetic organisms, this light is absorbed by a molecule called chlorophyll.
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References
- Photo Credit Rose image by photosfromoregon from Fotolia.com
