Question

The first product of photosynthesis is sugar and it is converted
(a) Into starch in all plants.
(b) Into proteins.
(c) Into vitamins.
(d) Rarely into anything else.

Answer 1

Hint: Photosynthesis is a phenomenon noticed in plants, where they use carbon dioxide in the presence of sunlight. This is used to convert the light energy of the sun to chemical energy. The initial reaction results in the manufacture of glucose, which is stored in different forms.

Complete step by step answer:
Photosynthesis is defined as “the process by which photoautotrophs convert light energy into chemical energy which can later be used to fuel the cellular activities of organisms.”
In photosynthesis, the chemical energy produced is stored in the form of sugars, which is created from water and carbon dioxide.
The reaction for photosynthesis can be written as –
\[6C{{O}_{2}}+12{{H}_{2}}O\xrightarrow{light}{{C}_{6}}{{H}_{12}}{{O}_{6}}+6{{O}_{2}}+6{{H}_{2}}O\]
As we can see, sugar (glucose) is produced by this process. This glucose is further polymerized to form compounds such as starch. This is done by linking monomeric molecules of glucose by glycosidic bonds. The starch is generally stored in ‘amyloplasts’ of plants in the form of granules. Glucose, in soluble in water. Starch on the other hand, is insoluble in nature. This is how plants ‘store energy’.
Therefore, the answer is – option (a) – The first product of photosynthesis is sugar and it is converted into starch in all plants.

Additional Information:
Photosynthesis takes place in other organisms other than green plants. This includes – cyanobacteria, purple bacteria and green sulfur bacteria.

Note: The term “photosynthesis” is derived from the Greek words ‘phōs’ (or photo) which means “light” and ‘sunthesis’ (or synthesis) which means “combining or putting together.” Together, it means “combining together with the help of light.”