Is Photosynthesis Endergonic Or Exergonic

Photosynthesis is an important process that helps plants create food. But is photosynthesis endergonic or exergonic?

In this blog post, we will discuss the energetics of photosynthesis and determine whether it is an endergonic or exergonic process. Stay tuned!

Photosynthesis is an endergonic process, meaning that it requires energy to occur.

Explain it to a child

Photosynthesis is a type of reaction that needs energy from the sun to turn carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

In photosynthesis, light energy is converted into chemical energy in the form of sugars, which can be used by plants and other organisms as a source of food.

What is photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process that produces organic molecules from simple inorganic compounds using the energy of sunlight.

The name comes from the Greek words photo, meaning “light,” and synthesis, meaning “to put together.” In order to understand photosynthesis, it is important to first understand the role of light in plant growth.

Light is a type of energy that travels through the air and is absorbed by plants. This energy is then used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen gas.

The process of photosynthesis can be divided into two parts: light interference and carbon fixation. Light interference occurs when light strikes the pigment molecules in the leaves of plants.

This action causes the electrons in the pigment molecules to become excited and rise to a higher energy state. Carbon fixation is the process by which these excited electrons are used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose.

The glucose molecule can then be used by plants for energy or can be stored for later use. In addition to producing glucose, photosynthesis also produces oxygen gas as a by-product.

This oxygen gas is released into the atmosphere, where it is used by animals for respiration. Photosynthesis is an essential process for both plants and animals because it provides us with the food and oxygen that we need to survive.

Is photosynthesis an endergonic or exergonic process 

Photosynthesis is an endergonic process. This means that it requires energy to occur. In order for photosynthesis to happen, plants need to absorb energy from the sun.

This energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and glucose. Glucose is a simple sugar that cells use for energy.

Oxygen is a waste product that is released into the air. While photosynthesis is an endergonic process, it does produce more energy than it consumes.

The glucose that is produced during photosynthesis can be used by cells for energy. This makes photosynthesis an important process for all life on Earth.

Why is photosynthesis an endergonic reaction?

Photosynthesis is an endergonic reaction because it requires an input of energy from the sun in order to create glucose from carbon dioxide and water.

This process is used by plants to create their food, and it is also the basis for the food chain. without photosynthesis, there would be no plant life on Earth, and no animals either.

The energy from the sun is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP, which powers the reactions that convert CO2 and H2O into glucose.

In addition to being endergonic, photosynthesis is also a redox reaction, meaning that it involves the transfer of electrons between molecules.

The sun provides the energy needed to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen is released into the atmosphere, while the hydrogen atoms combine with carbon dioxide to form glucose.

This process not only provides food for plants, but it also produces the oxygen we breathe.

The energetics of photosynthesis 

The energetics of photosynthesis can be analyzed in terms of the free energy of the reactants and products. The free energy of a reactant is the maximum amount of work that can be done by the reactant before it is completely converted into a product.

For photosynthesis, the free energy of the reactants (light energy, water, and carbon dioxide) is greater than the free energy of the products (glucose and oxygen).

This means that photosynthesis is an exergonic reaction, meaning that it releases energy. The amount of energy released in photosynthesis is called Gibbs free energy.

The Gibbs free energy of a reaction can be calculated using the following equation: Gibbs free energy =reactantfreeenergy – product free energy.

For photosynthesis, the Gibbs free energy is -68 kJ/mol. This means that for every mole (mol) of reactants that are used up in photosynthesis, 68 kilojoules (kJ) of energy are released.

How does photosynthesis benefit plants and other organisms 

Photosynthesis is the process that green plants use to convert sunlight into chemical energy. This energy is then used to fuel the plant’s growth and development.

In addition, photosynthesis plays an important role in the global carbon cycle. When plants convert carbon dioxide into oxygen, they help to regulate the Earth’s atmospheric levels of these gases.

As a result, photosynthesis benefits not only plants but also the entire planet. Additionally, the oxygen produced by photosynthesis is essential for all animals, who rely on this gas for respiration.

In short, photosynthesis is essential for life on Earth. Not only does it provide the food and oxygen that we need to survive, but it also helps to regulate our planet’s climate.

Thus, photosynthesis is an endergonic process because it requires energy to occur.


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  • Sasha Corum - Jacks of Science Writer

    Sasha is a Senior Writer at Jacks of Science leading the writing team. She has been in the scientific field since her middle school years and could not imagine working in anything other than molecular atoms, kinetic energy, and deep space exploration.