What is the primary energy storage product produced by photosynthesis?

What is the primary energy storage product produced by photosynthesis?

• A. ATP
• B. Glucose
• C. NADPH
• D. Oxygen

Answer: (B)

Energy from sunlight is captured and stored in chemical bonds of sugars. The light-dependent reactions produce ATP and NADPH, which power the fixation of carbon in the Calvin cycle. There, CO2 is assembled into carbohydrate, ultimately yielding a simple sugar like glucose. Glucose stores energy in its bonds and can be further saved as starch for longer-term storage. In contrast, ATP and NADPH are energy carriers used during synthesis, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. Therefore, glucose is the primary energy storage product formed by photosynthesis.

Energy from sunlight is captured and stored in chemical bonds of sugars. The light-dependent reactions produce ATP and NADPH, which power the fixation of carbon in the Calvin cycle. There, CO2 is assembled into carbohydrate, ultimately yielding a simple sugar like glucose. Glucose stores energy in its bonds and can be further saved as starch for longer-term storage. In contrast, ATP and NADPH are energy carriers used during synthesis, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. Therefore, glucose is the primary energy storage product formed by photosynthesis.