Answer to Question #151716 in Biology for Alvaro Dika

Question

- Describe how a leaf obtain the two substance on the left hand side of your equation.

- Describe how a leaf use the two substance on the right hand side of your equation.

Answer 1

The light-dependent reaction of photosynthesis can be shown as follows:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O --> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

1. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by the plant leaf from the air. The carbon dioxide penetrates the leaf stomata and moves into the chloroplasts of the leaf cells.

Water is obtained from the soil. The plant absorbs water via roots and transports it up to the leaves.

2. Glucose enters glycolysis and TCA producing compounds that are used for the synthesis of amino acids, lipids, and other substances that are used by the leaf cell. Also, oxidation of glucose produces ATP which is used as a source of energy in all synthetic reactions of the leaf cells.

Oxygen is released into the air and can be used by mitochondria for oxidation reactions and ATP production.