Products of photosynthesis
The photosynthesis is an anabolic process in which, from 6 molecules of CO2, 12 of water and light energy is converted into ATP, a glucose molecule is synthesized and 6 oxygen molecules and 6 of water are released.
The main product of photosynthesis is glyceraldehyde phosphate, a three-carbon carbohydrate produced in the Calvin cycle. This molecule is very important because it and those derived from it provide:
- The energy source of all living things.
- The basis for all organic molecules.
The fact that carbon has been fixed means that it has gone from inorganic molecules to organic molecules.
Depending on the needs of the cell, glyceraldehyde phosphate molecules can follow different metabolic pathways.
They can form glucose or fructose by going backwards to glycolysis, and then starch, cellulose or sucrose are formed. Animals can also store it as glycogen. It will also be used to make other carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nitrogenous bases.
Furthermore, the carbon that has been fixed in photosynthesis is the source of energy (ATP) for the cells of heterotrophic organisms.
Video: Photosynthesis Review (Biology will set you free)
Video: Autotrophic Anabolism: Photosynthesis (Bio [ESO] sphere)
Game: Review of photosynthesis.