Asked by jamar

A greenhouse uses the sunlight to help plants grow. Inside the leaves, carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose and oxygen.

Is this reaction exergonic or endergonic?
what is the source of energy that drives this reaction?

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
The overall photosynthesis reaction (CO2 + H2O → glucose + O2) is endergonic — it has a positive ΔG and requires input of energy.

That energy comes from sunlight (photons). Chlorophyll and other pigments absorb light, excite electrons, and drive light-dependent reactions that split water (producing O2), build a proton gradient, and generate chemical energy carriers (ATP and NADPH). ATP and NADPH then power the Calvin cycle to reduce CO2 and synthesize glucose.