How do plants recycle carbon during photosynthesis?
• The carbon in glucose is recycled as carbon dioxide.
• The carbon in carbon dioxide is recycled as glucose.
• The carbon in glucose is recycled as carbon gas.
• The carbon in carbon gas is recycled as glucose.
The correct answer is: The carbon in carbon dioxide is recycled as glucose.
During photosynthesis, plants use carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose and oxygen. The carbon in carbon dioxide is incorporated into the glucose molecule through a series of biochemical reactions. This glucose can be used as an energy source by the plant or can be broken down to release energy later. Oxygen is also produced and released into the atmosphere as a by-product of photosynthesis.
During photosynthesis, plants recycle carbon by converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose through a series of biochemical reactions. The correct statement is:
• The carbon in carbon dioxide is recycled as glucose.
To understand the process in more detail, here is a step-by-step explanation:
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere enters the plant through tiny openings called stomata, mainly found on the leaves.
2. Inside the plant's specialized cells called chloroplasts, CO2 combines with water (H2O) in the presence of sunlight, which provides energy for the chemical reactions.
3. Using a molecule called chlorophyll, plants capture the energy from sunlight and convert it into chemical energy to power the process of photosynthesis.
4. Carbon dioxide molecules undergo a series of reactions known as the Calvin cycle or the light-independent reactions, which take place in the stroma of the chloroplast.
5. During the Calvin cycle, the carbon atoms from CO2 are rearranged and combined with hydrogen and oxygen atoms derived from water molecules.
6. Through several enzymatic reactions, these rearranged carbon atoms form glucose (C6H12O6), which is a simple sugar and the primary product of photosynthesis.
7. The glucose molecules produced can be used by the plant for energy or stored as starch for later use.
8. It is important to note that plants do release oxygen (O2) back into the atmosphere as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
So, plants recycle carbon by converting carbon dioxide molecules into glucose through the process of photosynthesis.
During photosynthesis, plants recycle carbon by using two main processes:
1. Carbon Dioxide Fixation: Plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through tiny pores called stomata on their leaves. Inside the plant cells, the carbon dioxide is converted into a more stable organic compound called glucose through a process known as carbon dioxide fixation. The enzyme responsible for this process is called Rubisco.
2. Calvin Cycle: The glucose produced in the first step is then used in a series of reactions called the Calvin cycle to regenerate molecules needed for further carbon dioxide fixation. In the Calvin cycle, the glucose is broken down and rearranged to produce more glucose molecules, which can be used as an energy source or stored for later use.
So, the correct statement is: The carbon in carbon dioxide is recycled as glucose.