AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Photosynthesis is the process of synthesis of food by plants using carbon dioxide and water in presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. Oxygen (O2) is released during the process as a waste product. Hence, oxygen is not essential for the process of photosynthesis.

Detailed explanation-2: -The reactants of photosynthesis are carbon dioxide and water.

Detailed explanation-3: -Oxygen (O2) is evolved during photosynthetic electron transport when water is split by the oxygen-evolving complex to provide protons and electrons to the chloroplastic electron chain, thereby generating ATP and NADPH-the energy source and reducing power for plant metabolism.

Detailed explanation-4: -The oxygen produced by photosynthesis diffuses into the intercellular space and out of the underside of the leaves through the stomata. This oxygen is then released into the air.

Detailed explanation-5: -Overall equation for photosynthesis 6 molecules of carbon dioxide are required, one for each carbon atom in glucose. 6 molecules of oxygen are produced as a by product of water oxidation. Sunlight provides the free energy needed to make the endergonic pathway proceed.