Which one of the following statements about the process of photosynthesis is correct?

Photosynthesis is a two-stage process involving light-dependent and light-independent reactions. In the first stage, chlorophyll absorbs light energy, which is converted into chemical energy (ATP and NADPH) [5]. This energy facilitates the photolysis or splitting of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen [4]. In the second stage, known as the Calvin cycle or dark reactions, the chemical energy and reducing power generated previously are used for the reduction of carbon dioxide to carbohydrates [5]. While water is oxidized during its splitting, carbon dioxide undergoes reduction to form glucose [3]. Therefore, the statement that chlorophyll absorbs light energy, leading to the splitting of water and the reduction of carbon dioxide, accurately summarizes the core biochemical events of the process [2].

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > QUESTIONS > p. 82
2. [5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9861/
3. [4] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/photosynthesis/
4. [3] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Carbon and its Compounds > 4.3.1 Combustion > p. 69
5. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Photosynthesis and respiration > p. 15