The Photosynthesis formula Explains the way in which plants take energy from the sun and use it to convert carbon dioxide and water into molecules necessary for their growth, ie food.
Here, the elements that intervene initially are carbon dioxide and water, which are then converted into glucose and oxygen.
This process requires that multiple chemical reactions are carried out, therefore, it can be expressed in the following chemical formula:
6 CO 2 + 6 H 2 O → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6 O 2
This transformation takes place thanks to the incidence of sunlight, which allows the plant to transform carbon dioxide and water into the nutrients it needs (glucose) and into oxygen that is released as waste.
In turn, the chemical elements shown in the formula of photosynthesis enter and leave the plant cells by a diffusion process, known as osmosis, which allows the plant to take carbon dioxide from the air and release Then oxygen thereto.
Just as air compounds are absorbed and released by the osmosis process. Sunlight is captured thanks to the presence of a green chemical called chlorophyll (BBC, 2014).
Chemical equation of photosynthesis
The chemical equation of photosynthesis can be read as follows:
Carbon Dioxide + Water (+ Sunlight) → Glucose + Oxygen
It is important to note that this transition is only possible thanks to the incidence of sunlight, which is included in the formula in this way, since it does not constitute a substance in itself.
On the other hand, the way to formulate this equation chemically, would be by means of the following balance:
6 CO 2 + 6 H 2 O → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6 O 2
Where CO2 = Carbon Dioxide; H2O = Water; C6H12O6 = Glucose; O2 = Oxygen (Helmenstine, 2017).
Process of glucose
Glucose is formed from the mixture of carbon atoms, hydrogen and oxygen. Once it is manufactured through the process of photosynthesis can be used in three different ways:
1 - Can be converted into chemicals required for the growth of plant cells, such as cellulose.
2 - Can be converted into starch, a storage molecule that has the ability to be converted back to glucose, in case the plant needs it.
3 - It can be decomposed during the breathing process, releasing the energy stored in its molecules.
Chemical compounds
Plants need to take numerous chemical elements to stay alive and healthy. The most important are coal, hydrogen and oxygen (Nirvana, 2017).
Hydrogen and oxygen are taken from water and soil; on the other hand, coal and oxygen are taken from the carbon dioxide and oxygen present in the atmosphere.
Water and carbon dioxide are used to synthesize food during photosynthesis. Oxygen is needed to release energy from food during the process of breathing of the plant.
In addition to these three basic elements that are indicated in the formula of photosynthesis, there are other mineral compounds that all plants require to grow in a healthy way.
These are absorbed by the roots as dissolved ions in the soil water. Two of these mineral ions are nitrate and magnesium.
Nitrate is indispensable for the manufacture of amino acids during the process of photosynthesis. Amino acids, in turn, are what allow proteins to be manufactured. For its part, magnesium is necessary for the production of chlorophyll (Veloz, 2017).
Plants whose leaves turn different from green are likely to undergo a mineral deficiency stage and the photosynthesis process will not be successfully carried out.
Leaf Cells
Plants, like all living things in the world, need to feed. For this reason, they use the process of photosynthesis to convert chemical compounds such as carbon dioxide and water into the glucose they need for their cells to grow and develop.
Likewise, this process of photosynthesis is only viable thanks to the action of the cells located in the leaves of the plants, where a substance called chlorophyll allows the energy of the sun to be stored and used to transform chemical compounds taken from the air.
Chlorophyll is rich in chloroplasts and enzymes that allow leaf cells to react during the photosynthesis process (Matalone, 2017).
Parts of the Cell
The cell is composed of multiple parts that play a fundamental role in the process of photosynthesis. Some of these parts are as follows:
- Chloroplasts : Contain the chlorophyll and enzymes necessary for the chemical reaction of photosynthesis to occur.
- Nucleus: in it is the DNA with the genetic information of the plant that is used by the enzymes during the process of photosynthesis.
- Membrane Cell: is the permeable barrier that regulates the passage of gases and water both to enter and to leave the cell.
- Vacuola : Allows the cell to remain firm.
- Cytoplasm: is the place where some of the enzymes and proteins used during the chemical process of photosynthesis are made.
Factors that limit photosynthesis
There are three factors that can limit the chemical reaction of photosynthesis: the intensity of light, the concentration of carbon dioxide and temperature.
Intensity of Light
When there is not enough light, a plant can not carry out the process of photosynthesis efficiently, it does not matter that there is enough water and carbon dioxide in the environment.
Therefore, increasing the intensity of light will immediately increase the speed of the photosynthesis process.
Photosynthesis ratio and intensity of light
Carbon Dioxide Concentration
Sometimes the chemical process of photosynthesis is limited by the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. Even if there is plenty of sunlight and water, a plant can not carry out photosynthesis without sufficient carbon dioxide in the air.
Photosynthesis ratio and concentration of carbon dioxide
Temperature
When the temperature is very low, photosynthesis takes place more slowly. Likewise, plants can not carry out photosynthesis when the temperature is very high.
Photosynthesis and temperature relationship
References
- (2014). Science. Retrieved from How plants make food: bbc.co.uk.
- Helmenstine, A. M. (Ferbuary 13, 2017). ThoughtCo. Retrieved from"The Balanced Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis": thoughtco.com.
- Matalone, S. (2017). com. Obtained from Balanced Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis: study.com.
- (2017). Photosynthesis Education. Retrieved from Photosynthesis for Kids: photosynthesiseducation.com.
- Speed, L. (April 24, 2017). Sciencing. Retrieved from What are the Reactors of Photosynthesis?: sciencing.com.