Question

State the events occurring during the process of photosynthesis. Is it essential that these steps take place one after the other immediately?

Answer 1

6CO₂ (Carbon dioxide) + 6H₂O (water) \( \underset{chlorophyll}{\stackrel{Sunlight}{\rightarrow}} \)  C₆H₁₂O₆ (Carbohydarate)  + 6O₂ (oxygen)

Absorption of light energy by chlorophyll. 

• Conversion of light energy to chemical energy and splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. 
• Reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates.

These steps need not take place one after the other immediately. For example, desert plants take up carbon dioxide at night and prepare an intermediate which is acted upon by the energy absorbed by the chlorophyll during the day