Question

vernon wonders whether nadph and atp should be classified as reactants or as products of photosynthesis. how should these compounds be classified?
a. as reactants, because they are used up by photosynthesis
b. as products, because they are generated by photosynthesis
c. as either reactants or products, depending on the rate that photosynthesis occurs
d. as neither reactant nor product, because they are recycled instead of made or used up

Explanation:

In photosynthesis, NADPH and ATP are produced during the light - dependent reactions (the part of photosynthesis that uses light energy). These molecules are then used in the Calvin cycle (the light - independent reactions) to help convert carbon dioxide into sugars. But from the perspective of the overall photosynthesis process, they are generated by photosynthesis. Reactants of photosynthesis are substances like carbon dioxide and water that are used up to start the process. NADPH and ATP are not used up in the sense of being initial reactants; instead, they are made during photosynthesis. Option A is wrong because they are not used up as reactants. Option C is wrong as their classification doesn't depend on the rate of photosynthesis. Option D is wrong because they are produced (so they are products), not recycled in a way that makes them neither. So they should be classified as products because they are generated by photosynthesis.

Answer:

B. as products, because they are generated by photosynthesis