Scientists used radioactive hydrogen to make water. They grew plants using the radioactive water. What happened to the radioactive hydrogen during photosynthesis?

a. it was recycled when light energy was formed
b. it was recycled when glucose was formed
c. it was recycled when hydrogen gas was formed
d. it was recycled when water was formed

1 answer

During photosynthesis, the hydrogen from the water (which in this case is made from radioactive hydrogen) is used to form glucose. Therefore, the correct answer is:

b. it was recycled when glucose was formed

In the process of photosynthesis, water molecules are split, and the hydrogen is incorporated into glucose, effectively "recycling" the hydrogen as part of the overall process.