Question

What is the function of water in photosynthesis?

Answer 1

Hint: The process by which plants make their food by using both abiotic and biotic substances present in the environment to obtain energy and perform necessary functions for survival is known as photosynthesis.

Complete answer:
Photosynthesis is a very important biochemical pathway for the survival of both plants and animals. Plants require photosynthesis for the production of energy and animals require oxygen that is provided by plants as a by-product of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis involves the production of glucose with the help of light obtained from sunlight, Carbon dioxide obtained from air, chlorophyll, and water extracted from the soil. Water is one of the most essential parts of photosynthesis. Six water molecules react with six carbon molecules to form one molecule of glucose. This in turn releases oxygen molecules in the atmosphere where it gets converted into oxygen gas that is required by the animals for respiration. Water also provides electrons that bind to the hydrogen atoms to the carbon to produce glucose. Water also acts as a reducing agent which reduces $NAD{P}^{+}$ to NADPH by providing $H^{+}$ ions. NADPH activates chlorophyll that in turn provides the green pigment to the plant. Water also creates a chemical potential across the cell membrane that results in the synthesis of ATP molecules that are required to provide energy to the plants. The cycle of splitting a water molecule into atoms of oxygen and hydrogen in the presence of chlorophyll is referred to as the Calvin Cycle.

Note:
Some plants also require the aid of certain microorganisms such as ribosomes to facilitate photosynthesis. Such relations between the microorganisms and the plants are known as a symbiotic relationship. These plants are rich in proteins and produce legumes such as lentils.