Which statement correctly represents the overall equation for photosynthesis?

Which statement correctly represents the overall equation for photosynthesis?

• A. Oxygen + glucose -> carbon dioxide + water
• B. Carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
• C. Carbon monoxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
• D. Glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water

Answer: (B)

Photosynthesis uses light energy to build sugar from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen in the process. The overall equation captures the inputs CO2 and H2O and the outputs glucose and O2, often written simply as carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen, with the full balanced form 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2. This shows that carbon dioxide and water are the starting materials, glucose is the stored chemical energy produced, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. The other options depict the reverse of the process (respiration) or use incorrect substrates such as carbon monoxide, so they don’t represent what photosynthesis accomplishes.

Photosynthesis uses light energy to build sugar from carbon dioxide and water, releasing oxygen in the process. The overall equation captures the inputs CO2 and H2O and the outputs glucose and O2, often written simply as carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen, with the full balanced form 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light -> C6H12O6 + 6 O2. This shows that carbon dioxide and water are the starting materials, glucose is the stored chemical energy produced, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. The other options depict the reverse of the process (respiration) or use incorrect substrates such as carbon monoxide, so they don’t represent what photosynthesis accomplishes.