Where does the oxygen released by plants during photosynthesis comes from?

Answer 1

The oxygen comes from the splitting of water.

During photosynthesis, light will hit pigment cells in photosystem II. The cells absorb this energy which is transferred from cell to cell until the P680 pair of chlorophyll molecules absorb it. An electron in this pair of molecules then becomes excited because of this extra energy, leaves the molecule and is transferred to the primary electron acceptor.

The movement of this electron leaves something like a 'hole' in the molecule that needs to be filled. While all this is going on, there's an enzyme that's splitting water molecules to give electrons, hydrogen and oxygen.
Remember that water's chemical formula is # H_2O#. The electrons will be used to fill the hole in P680, while the hydrogen will be used to make NADPH.

Oxygen is just a by-product of this splitting, and will be removed from the plant.

This diagram sums up everything. The black arrows show the energy movement from the pigments to the P680 molecule. An electron travels up to the primary acceptor and is replaced with incoming ones from # H_2O#. Notice that the oxygen is coming from water and it's being kicked out of the photosystem.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer 2

Water molecules split apart during photosynthesis, releasing oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.

Sign up to view the whole answer

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Sign up with email
Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

Not the question you need?

Drag image here or click to upload

Or press Ctrl + V to paste
Answer Background
HIX Tutor
Solve ANY homework problem with a smart AI
  • 98% accuracy study help
  • Covers math, physics, chemistry, biology, and more
  • Step-by-step, in-depth guides
  • Readily available 24/7