Final answer:
In photosynthesis, plants transform carbon dioxide and water into glucose, a type of sugar that serves as the plant's food, and oxygen, which is released into the atmosphere.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the process of photosynthesis, plants convert carbon dioxide (CO₂) and water (H₂O) into two primary products: glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and oxygen (O₂). The equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as:
6CO₂(g) + 6H₂O(l) + sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂(g)
This shows that plants take in carbon dioxide and water, and using the sun's energy, they create glucose and oxygen. The glucose is a form of sugar that serves as the main “food” source for plants and is also a vital energy source for other organisms. Oxygen, on the other hand, is released into the atmosphere as a “waste product” but is essential for animal life as it is required for cellular respiration.