Final answer:
Photosynthesis uses water and carbon dioxide, along with sunlight, to produce glucose and oxygen. Glucose provides energy to plants, and the oxygen released is essential for animal life.
Step-by-step explanation:
During photosynthesis, water and carbon dioxide react with the help of energy from the sun to produce glucose, a sugar that serves as a source of energy for plants, and oxygen. The overall chemical equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This means that six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water, using light energy, are converted into one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen. The glucose produced is used by the plant for energy and growth, while the oxygen is released into the atmosphere and is vital for animal life.