In oxygenic photosynthesis, sunlight is used to convert water and carbon dioxide into which products?

• A. Glucose and oxygen
• B. ATP and water
• C. Glucose and carbon dioxide
• D. Oxygen and nitrogen gas

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the overall process of oxygenic photosynthesis, which occurs in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria. It uses sunlight to convert carbon dioxide (CO\_2) and water (H\_2O) into energy-rich molecules.
2. Step 2: Recall the general chemical equation for oxygenic photosynthesis: \$6CO\_2 + 6H\_2O + light \rightarrow C\_6H\_{12}O\_6 + 6O\_2$. This shows the reactants and products involved.
3. Step 3: Identify the products on the right side of the equation. The molecule \(C\_6H\_{12}O\_6\) represents glucose, a sugar that stores energy, and \(O\_2\) is oxygen gas released as a byproduct.
4. Step 4: Recognize that ATP and water are not the final products but are involved in intermediate steps within the photosynthetic process. Nitrogen gas is not produced in photosynthesis.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct products formed from the conversion of water and carbon dioxide using sunlight in oxygenic photosynthesis are glucose and oxygen.