What Are the Reactants for Photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is a process used by plants, algae, and certain bacteria to convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose. The reactants for photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O).

Here’s a breakdown of the reactants:

• Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): Plants absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny pores called stomata, primarily located on the underside of leaves.
• Water (H₂O): Water is absorbed by the plant’s roots from the soil and transported to the leaves through the xylem, a type of vascular tissue.

During photosynthesis, these reactants are converted into glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂) using light energy. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + light energy → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

This process not only produces glucose, which serves as an energy source for the plant, but also releases oxygen into the atmosphere, which is essential for the survival of most living organisms.