Question

During photosynthesis, plants absorb the sun's energy to enable the reaction. In turn, starch is created. Photosynthesis is a:

a) Synthesis reaction
b) Endothermic reaction
c) Exothermic reaction
d) Combustion reaction

Answer 1

Photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction where plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy, creating glucose and oxygen. Energy is absorbed from the sun, making it a synthesis and endothermic reaction, rather than exothermic or combustion.

Step-by-step explanation:

Photosynthesis is a biological process through which plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy. Specifically, plants absorb solar energy and use it to transform carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) into glucose (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). The correct answer to the question of whether photosynthesis is an endothermic reaction or an exothermic reaction is that it is a b) Endothermic reaction. This is because energy from the sun is absorbed by plants to drive the photosynthetic chemical reactions.

In the light-dependent reactions, chlorophyll absorbs sunlight and converts it into stored chemical energy, while oxygen is released as a byproduct of water splitting. Following this, in the Calvin cycle (or light-independent reactions), the stored chemical energy is used to combine carbon dioxide into sugar molecules, creating glucose. This glucose is often stored as starch in plants.