A complete Definition of
Photosynthesis: An anabolic process by which chloroplast of green plants and
other phototroph’s synthesize carbohydrates (glucose) and evolve molecular O2
as by-product, using CO2, H2O and sunlight.
Till 1930, it was believed that
photosynthesis is just the reverse of respiration.
An
experiment conducted by Ruben, Randall and kamen (1940) proved that O2
evolved during photosynthesis comes from water, not from CO2.
For the
experiment, they used heavy radioisotopes of Oxygen (O18) in water
(H2O18) and CO218
Experiment 1:
When photosynthesis occurs in the presence of H2O18 and normal CO2, the heavy isotope
was found in the evolved O2
Experiment 2:
When photosynthesis occurs in the presence of normal H2O and CO218, the isotopic
oxygen is not evolved.
The experiment
for the first time proved that the oxygen evolved during photosynthesis comes
from water.
Original paper |
Then the
conventional equation was modified as 6 molecules of H2O is not
sufficient for the evolution of 6 molecules of O2.
Now the
correct balanced equation of photosynthesis is
Reference: Ruben, S.,
Randall, M., Kamen, M., & Hyde, J. L. (1941). Heavy oxygen (O18) as a
tracer in the study of photosynthesis. Journal
of the American Chemical Society, 63(3),
877-879.
Tags:
correct balanced equation of photosynthesis
experiment proved oxygen evolution from water
Notes on Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis complete definition
photosynthesis notes
physiology
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY