Photosynthesis is a vital process that occurs in plants, algae, and some bacteria, allowing them to convert light energy into chemical energy. The primary inputs to photosynthesis are carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O), while the outputs are glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2).
The overall equation for photosynthesis can be simplified as:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
This equation summarizes the process where six molecules of carbon dioxide react with six molecules of water using light energy to produce one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. The glucose produced is then used by the plant for energy and growth, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere as a byproduct.