Which one of the following statements about the process of photosynthesis is correct ?
Light energy is directly converted to kinetic energy which oxidizes carbon dioxide.
Light energy is directly converted to chemical energy which causes reduction of water.
Chlorophyll absorbs the chemical energy of light which causes oxidation of carbon dioxide.
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy which causes splitting of water molecules and reduction of carbon dioxide.
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2022
– This light energy is used to split water molecules (photolysis of water) into oxygen, protons, and electrons. This is the oxidation of water.
– The energy captured and the electrons/protons generated are then used to reduce carbon dioxide into glucose (a sugar). This is the reduction of carbon dioxide.
Thus, chlorophyll absorbs light energy which causes splitting of water molecules and reduction of carbon dioxide.