The source of oxygen liberated as a byproduct during photosynthesis is
- Acarbon dioxide
- Bwater
- Cglucose
- Dchlorophyll
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
During the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis, solar energy drives the photolysis (splitting) of water (H
2
O) molecules within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts:
2H
2
O
light
4H
+
+4e
−
+O
2
↑
This process releases oxygen gas (O
2
) into the atmosphere as a byproduct. Heavy-isotope tracer experiments have confirmed that this liberated oxygen comes entirely from water molecules, not from carbon dioxide (CO
2
).
2
O) molecules within the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts:
2H
2
O
light
4H
+
+4e
−
+O
2
↑
This process releases oxygen gas (O
2
) into the atmosphere as a byproduct. Heavy-isotope tracer experiments have confirmed that this liberated oxygen comes entirely from water molecules, not from carbon dioxide (CO
2
).