To determine what a plant needs to produce 4 molecules of sugar (C6H12O6) through the process of photosynthesis, we start by looking at the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis:
[tex]\[ \text{6 CO}_2 + \text{6 H}_2\text{O} \rightarrow \text{C}_6\text{H}_{12}\text{O}_6 + \text{6 O}_2 \][/tex]
This equation shows that 6 molecules of carbon dioxide (CO2) and 6 molecules of water (H2O) are needed to produce 1 molecule of sugar.
We want to produce 4 molecules of sugar, therefore:
1. Calculate the molecules of CO2 needed for 4 molecules of sugar:
- If 6 molecules of CO2 produce 1 molecule of sugar,
- To produce 4 molecules of sugar, we need:
[tex]\[
\text{Molecules of CO2} = 6 \times 4 = 24
\][/tex]
2. Calculate the molecules of H2O needed for 4 molecules of sugar:
- If 6 molecules of H2O produce 1 molecule of sugar,
- To produce 4 molecules of sugar, we need:
[tex]\[
\text{Molecules of H2O} = 6 \times 4 = 24
\][/tex]
Thus, to produce 4 molecules of sugar, a plant must need:
- 24 molecules of CO2
- 24 molecules of H2O
