Write the general equation for photosynthesis below Circle a

Write the general equation for photosynthesis below. Circle a reactant. Underline the part you were directly \"measuring\"or viewing as evidence of photosynthesis occurring.

Solution

The general reaction for photosynthesis is given by the one as mentioned below:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O --sunlight----> C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂

where,

6CO₂ is carbon dioxide uptaken from the environments

6H₂O is the water or moisture content

C₆H₁₂O₆ represents the glucose content made in the plants

6O₂ represents the oxygen released by the plants.

This reaction is also termed as OXIDATIVE PHOTO-PHOSPHORYLATION since it takes place in the presence of sunlight as a source of energy and undergoes generation of molecular oxygen by phosphorylation of substrates present in the plant cells.

For experimental purpose, the component which can be directly measured is glucose content. This is performed by a simple laboratory experiment. It is based upon the fact that starch turns the iodine solution blue-black in color. In this experiment, a green leaf of a plant exposed to sunlight is taken, boiled in water and then in ethanol to decolorize it completely. Decolorization is performed to ensure any change in color of iodine occuring due to presence of glucose only. Then a few drops of iodine are placed on the decolorized leaf and observed. If the color of iodine turns blue-black, this indicates the presence of glucose, hence photosynthesis in the leaf.