Question

navah writes out the chemical equation for photosynthesis. she includes two reacting molecules to the left of the arrow and two resulting molecules to the right.

what must be added to the chemical equation to more accurately represent photosynthesis?

○ light energy, above the arrow
○ chlorophyll, to the left of the arrow
○ enzymes, to the left of the arrow
○ atp, above the arrow

Explanation:

Photosynthesis is a process that uses light energy. The general chemical equation for photosynthesis is \(6CO_2 + 6H_2O
ightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2\). This reaction occurs in the presence of light energy (which is absorbed by chlorophyll, but chlorophyll is a catalyst and not a reactant in the sense of being consumed in the overall equation). Light energy is the energy source that drives the reaction. Chlorophyll is a pigment in the chloroplasts that captures light energy but is not written as a reactant on the left - hand side of the equation in the traditional chemical equation representation. Enzymes are also involved in the process (as biological catalysts), but again, in the basic chemical equation for photosynthesis, light energy (as the energy input) is the key component that is often shown above the arrow. ATP is a product of some of the steps in photosynthesis (like in the light - dependent reactions) but is not the energy input for the overall process.

Answer:

light energy, above the arrow