What are the inputs and the output molecules for the overall photosynthetic process?

The inputs and outputs for the overall photosynthetic process are as follows:

• Inputs: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O)
• Outputs: Sugar (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂)

During photosynthesis, plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen. This process primarily occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, which contain the pigment chlorophyll. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis is:

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

This means that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, in the presence of sunlight, are converted into one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen.