Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which process converts carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO_2}$) and water ($\mathrm{H_2O}$) into glucose ($\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$) and oxygen ($\mathrm{O_2}$)?
A
Glycolysis
B
Cellular respiration
C
Fermentation
D
Photosynthesis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the question: The problem asks which biological process converts carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO_2}$) and water ($\mathrm{H_2O}$) into glucose ($\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$) and oxygen ($\mathrm{O_2}$). This is a key concept in plant biology.
Recall the definition of photosynthesis: Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria use sunlight to synthesize glucose ($\mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6}$) from carbon dioxide ($\mathrm{CO_2}$) and water ($\mathrm{H_2O}$), releasing oxygen ($\mathrm{O_2}$) as a byproduct.
Write the chemical equation for photosynthesis: $6\mathrm{CO_2} + 6\mathrm{H_2O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \mathrm{C_6H_{12}O_6} + 6\mathrm{O_2}$. This equation summarizes the transformation of reactants into products during photosynthesis.
Compare photosynthesis with the other processes listed: Glycolysis, cellular respiration, and fermentation are processes that break down glucose to release energy, whereas photosynthesis builds glucose from simpler molecules using light energy.
Conclude that photosynthesis is the correct answer: Based on the chemical equation and the nature of the process, photosynthesis is the only process that converts $\mathrm{CO_2}$ and $\mathrm{H_2O}$ into glucose and oxygen.