gather, process and summarise information from secondary sources to identify the products of photosynthesis and describe the function of these compounds in living organisms
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Products of photosynthesis University of Michigan, Michigan, USA.
Sample information
Identify the products of photosynthesis.
The products of photosynthesis are oxygen gas, water and glucose. The glucose is stored as starch in the plant. The reaction can be summarised by the equation:
6CO2(g) + 6H2O light→ C6H12O6 + 6O2(g)
Describe the function of these compounds in living organisms.
Oxygen gas and glucose are required for aerobic (oxygen requiring) respiration in all living things. Aerobic respiration is the process in which cells break down glucose to provide energy for metabolic processes to support growth, movement and reproduction. The energy is stored in the chemical bonds in the glucose. It is released when the glucose is oxidised and stored as ATP (adenosine triphosphate) for use by the cell. Respiration can be summarised by the equation :
C6H12O6 + 6O2(g) → 6CO2(g) + 6H2O + energy as ATP (~30 ATP in eucaryotic cells)
Water is the medium in which all cellular reactions take place because it is the main constituent (part) of the cytosol (cytoplasm). It also provides structure for cells by creating pressure against the cell membrane to retain the shape of the cell. Movement of water provides a way in which substances can be transported around the cell and through the organism. For example, water carries dissolved substances in the blood in mammals and dissolved substances in the xylem of plants.