During photosynthesis, which materials are used to create sugars?

During photosynthesis, plants utilize water and carbon dioxide to synthesize sugars, primarily glucose. This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells, where chlorophyll captures sunlight and converts the energy to initiate the chemical reactions that form sugars.

Water is absorbed by the roots and transported to the leaves, while carbon dioxide enters the leaves through small openings called stomata. In the presence of sunlight, these two materials undergo a series of reactions that ultimately convert them into glucose—the sugar that serves as an essential energy source for the plant. Additionally, oxygen is released as a byproduct of this process.

The other materials listed in the choices do not directly contribute to the creation of sugars in photosynthesis. For example, oxygen, while a product of the process, is not a reactant in the formation of sugars. Likewise, sunlight is energy that drives the reaction but is not itself converted into sugars, and minerals play a critical role in the overall health and functioning of the plant but are not directly involved in the synthesis of glucose during photosynthesis.