In oxygenic photosynthesis in plants, which set of products is generated overall from carbon dioxide and water using light energy?

• A. Lactic acid and carbon dioxide
• B. Glucose and oxygen
• C. ATP and NADPH only (with no carbohydrate produced)
• D. Carbon dioxide and water

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the overall process of oxygenic photosynthesis, which occurs in plants and uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic molecules and oxygen.
2. Recall the general photosynthesis equation: \$6\ \text{CO}_2 + 6\ \text{H}_2\text{O} + \text{light energy} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + 6\ \text{O}_2$.
3. Identify the products on the right side of the equation: glucose (\(\text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6\)), which is a carbohydrate, and oxygen (\(\text{O}_2\)), which is released as a byproduct.
4. Note that ATP and NADPH are produced during the light-dependent reactions but are used up in the Calvin cycle to synthesize glucose, so they are not the final overall products from carbon dioxide and water.
5. Conclude that the overall products generated from carbon dioxide and water using light energy in oxygenic photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen.