Final answer:
Photosynthesis is a process in which carbon dioxide and water react using solar energy to produce glucose and oxygen. It involves two stages: light reactions and the Calvin cycle. Glucose is an energy-storing molecule.
Step-by-step explanation:
Photosynthesis is a process in which six molecules of carbon dioxide react with six molecules of water, using solar energy, to produce one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. The balanced chemical equation for this reaction is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2.
Photosynthesis involves two stages: the light reactions, where solar energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP, and the Calvin cycle, where ATP is used along with carbon dioxide to produce glucose. Glucose is a carbohydrate molecule that stores energy and serves as a fuel source for cells.