Which molecules are produced by photosynthesis?

Which molecules are produced by photosynthesis?

• A. Water
• B. Glucose and oxygen
• C. Carbon dioxide
• D. ATP and NADPH

Answer: (B)

Photosynthesis uses light energy to build organic sugar from inorganic inputs, releasing oxygen in the process. In the chloroplasts, the light-dependent reactions split water to produce oxygen gas and to generate ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle then uses those energy carriers to fix carbon dioxide into a carbohydrate, yielding glucose. So the end products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen. Water and carbon dioxide are reactants, not products, while ATP and NADPH are energy carriers produced to drive the synthesis of glucose but are not the final products.

Photosynthesis uses light energy to build organic sugar from inorganic inputs, releasing oxygen in the process. In the chloroplasts, the light-dependent reactions split water to produce oxygen gas and to generate ATP and NADPH. The Calvin cycle then uses those energy carriers to fix carbon dioxide into a carbohydrate, yielding glucose. So the end products of photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen. Water and carbon dioxide are reactants, not products, while ATP and NADPH are energy carriers produced to drive the synthesis of glucose but are not the final products.