Question

The purpose of photosynthesis is to produce usable chemical energy or glucose from solar energy. If the formula for glucose is C6H12O6, how many atoms of carbon are used to produce the glucose?

Answer 1

In the formula, the C6 shows the subscript. Therefore, in this case, 6 atoms are needed to produce the glucose.

Answer 2

The correct answer is: 6 molecules of carbon dioxide are required in order to produce 1 molecule of glucose.

Glucose is synthesized in light-independent phase of the photosynthesis by cyclic process called Calvin cycle.

It takes place in the chloroplast and utilize ATP and NADPH produced in light-dependent phase of the photosynthesis.

Calvin cycle is divided into three parts: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration.

The cycle fixes 1 molecule of carbon per rotation. In addition, it requires 3 ATP and 2 NADPH in a single turn.

The cycle turns 6 times to produce one molecule of glucose. Hence, it requires 6 CO₂, 18 ATP, and 12 NADPH to fix one molecule of glucose.