Formula For Photosynthesis

In the layman's language, it is the process by which plants make their food. Photosynthesis is a process that includes, making of simple glucose or rather sugars by plants. In addition to plants there are several other different micro organisms such as algae and fungi, etc. that conduct photosynthesis. The process is easy and can be summed up by 3 important components, namely sunlight, carbon dioxide and chlorophyll. Some other components such as minerals from the soil. are also included in the process. The photosynthesis that sets off the food chain is often known as the Calvin cycle. The organisms which conduct photosynthesis are termed as photoautotrophs. There are some variant processes of photosynthesis that are conducted by some selected organisms such as use of direct carbon instead of carbon dioxide or use of oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, etc.

What is the Formula for Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is basically a set of different reaction and hence, there are multiple formulas that are involved in the process. The first among the processes is carbon fixation. Carbon dioxide is an important constituent of photosynthesis, which is taken in through the leaves of the plant. This form of CO₂ is not usable in its gaseous state and hence, by a process that is known as carbon fixation is utilized by the plants to take care of this problem. In this process, gaseous carbon dioxide is converted into solidified from with the help of electrons that are taken from water. This solidified from is later on converted into carbohydrates. The reaction of this conversion, goes as follows...

2n CO₂ + 2n H₂O + photons → 2(CH₂O)_n + n O₂ + 2n

Some selected photosynthetic microbes, often use other sources of electrons instead of water, such as Arsenite, the reaction in such cases goes as follows...

(AsO₃^3-) + CO₂ + photons → CO + (AsO₄^3-)

The process of photosynthesis utilizes light as a source of energy. In this utilization, the pigment chlorophyll plays a key role in transfer of electrons and protons. When the process starts, a molecule of chlorophyll absorbs one photon (positive charge), and an electron (negative charge) is lost. This electron goes to a form of chlorophyll pigment, that is known as Pheophytin, which passes the electron to a compound that is known as Quinone. This process develops into a chain that reduces Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) and Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), which are co-enzymes or organic substances. This reduction results into a generation of Electrochemical gradient which is a spatial variation of electrical potential and chemical concentration across the chloroplast membrane. The chlorophyll in the mean time gets back the lost electron from water and thus, releases O₂. All this process is supported by a light spectrum that provides energy to the charge movement. The total formula for respiration and photosynthesis, that takes place in presence of the light spectrum can be written down as

2 H₂O + 2 NADP⁺ + 3 ADP + 3 P_i + light → 2 NADPH + 2 H⁺ + 3 ATP + O₂

This reaction is extremely complex and if you are searching for a formula that can be easier to remember, then it would be better to refer to the first balanced formula.