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Multiple Choice
Which molecules are reactants in photosynthesis in plants?
A
Glucose ($\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$) and water ($\mathrm{H_2O}$)
B
Oxygen ($\mathrm{O_2}$) and glucose ($\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$)
C
Oxygen ($\mathrm{O_2}$) and carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO_2}$)
D
Carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO_2}$) and water ($\mathrm{H_2O}$)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
Step 2: Recall the general chemical equation for photosynthesis: $ ext{6CO}_2 + ext{6H}_2 ext{O} + ext{light energy}
ightarrow ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6 + ext{6O}_2$. This equation shows the reactants and products involved in photosynthesis.
Step 3: Identify the reactants in the equation. Reactants are the substances that are consumed during the reaction. In photosynthesis, the reactants are carbon dioxide ($ ext{CO}_2$) and water ($ ext{H}_2 ext{O}$). These molecules are used by the plant to produce glucose ($ ext{C}_6 ext{H}_{12} ext{O}_6$) and oxygen ($ ext{O}_2$).
Step 4: Understand the role of each reactant. Carbon dioxide ($ ext{CO}_2$) is absorbed from the atmosphere through the stomata of leaves, and water ($ ext{H}_2 ext{O}$) is absorbed from the soil through the roots. These molecules are essential for the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.
Step 5: Confirm the correct answer based on the chemical equation and the roles of the molecules. The reactants in photosynthesis are carbon dioxide ($ ext{CO}_2$) and water ($ ext{H}_2 ext{O}$), as they are required to produce glucose and oxygen during the process.