Which statement describes the fate of the oxygen produced during photosynthesis?

Which statement describes the fate of the oxygen produced during photosynthesis?

• A. It is released to the atmosphere or used in respiration
• B. It remains stored in chloroplasts
• C. It becomes part of glucose directly
• D. It is converted into water

Answer: (A)

Oxygen released in photosynthesis comes from splitting water during the light-dependent reactions. This oxygen is a byproduct and is released as O2 gas, typically exiting the leaf into the air. Some of it can be used by respiring cells within the plant or by other organisms to produce energy. It isn’t stored in chloroplasts, and it isn’t incorporated into glucose directly. So the fate of the oxygen produced is either release to the atmosphere or use in respiration.

Oxygen released in photosynthesis comes from splitting water during the light-dependent reactions. This oxygen is a byproduct and is released as O2 gas, typically exiting the leaf into the air. Some of it can be used by respiring cells within the plant or by other organisms to produce energy. It isn’t stored in chloroplasts, and it isn’t incorporated into glucose directly. So the fate of the oxygen produced is either release to the atmosphere or use in respiration.