Misconception
The oversimplification of photosynthesis being summed up in this equation:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O ———-> 6 O2 + C6H12O6 (glucose) Leaves are green because they do not absorb green light Plants photosynthesize during the day and run cellular respiration at night Photosynthesis takes place only in leaves Plants breathe out oxygen and breathe in carbon dioxide through the leaf’s stomata The soil supplies water and food for plants and also accounts for their mass |
Truth
The product of photosynthesis is usually starch
Photosynthesis occurs in many steps More water is required to keep the stomata open for carbon dioxide exchange Accessory pigments absorb green light Cellular respiration happens both at night and during the day. ‘Dark’ reactions mean without use of light, not in the dark Photosynthesis takes place in all chlorophyll Plants do not “breathe” like humans. Breathing is a physical action that brings gases into and out of most animals to be used during the processes of respiration. Carbon dioxide is the primary source of material for the production of plant tissue Plants photosynthesize for food and the majority of their mass comes from CO2 |