Q.
Assertion (A) Twelve molecules of water are used in the equation of photosynthesis. Reason (R) The equation of photosynthesis is 6CO2+12H2O Light C6H12O6+6H2O+6O2
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Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
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Solution:
Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason is not the correct explanation of Assertion.
The net reaction of photosynthesis is 6CO2+12H2O Light C6H12O6+6H2O+6O2
From this reaction it is clear that to form one molecule of glucose, six molecules of CO2 are required.
This is because the product of light reaction required in dark reactions to form one molecule of glucose are 12 molecules of NADPH and 18 molecules of ATP.
For forming 2 molecules of NADPH from NADP+,2 molecules of water are required, so that demand of 4 electrons and protons can be satisfied. Two molecules of water split to form 1 molecules of oxygen and the respective number of electrons and hydrogen ions are also formed. Now for producing 12 molecules of NADPH, total 12 molecules of water are required.