Which word equation correctly summarizes the overall process of photosynthesis in plants?

• A. Nitrogen + water + light energy → amino acids + oxygen
• B. Glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy
• C. Carbon dioxide + oxygen + light energy → glucose + water
• D. Carbon dioxide + water + light energy → glucose + oxygen

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the reactants and products involved in the process of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide, water, and light energy as reactants to produce glucose and oxygen as products.
2. Recall the general word equation for photosynthesis, which is: carbon dioxide + water + light energy → glucose + oxygen.
3. Compare each given equation to the known photosynthesis equation to determine which one matches the reactants and products correctly.
4. Eliminate options that describe other biological processes, such as respiration (glucose + oxygen → carbon dioxide + water + energy) or unrelated chemical reactions (nitrogen + water + light energy → amino acids + oxygen).
5. Confirm that the correct equation summarizes photosynthesis by showing the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into glucose and oxygen using light energy.