Which molecules are produced during photosynthesis?

• A. Carbon dioxide and water
• B. Glucose and oxygen
• C. ATP and NADPH
• D. Proteins and lipids

Answer: (B)

Photosynthesis takes light energy and uses it to build organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water, storing energy in glucose while releasing oxygen. The process combines CO2 and water through the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle to yield glucose, and the splitting of water during the light reactions releases O2 as a byproduct. In the overall equation, 6 CO2 and 6 H2O plus light become C6H12O6 and 6 O2.

So the molecules produced are glucose and oxygen. Carbon dioxide and water are starting materials, not end products. ATP and NADPH are generated to power the synthesis, but they are used up in making glucose rather than being final products. Proteins and lipids are not direct products of photosynthesis.