Question

Isotopes employed to study the process of photosynthesis reaction are

• A. $S^{68}and{P}^{32}$
• B. $C^{14}and{O}^{18}$
• C. $N^{14}andC{o}^{60}$
• D. $N^{14}and{O}^{18}$

Answer 1

The correct option is B $C^{14}and{O}^{18}$

Photosynthesis is a redox reaction in which carbon dioxide is reduced to sugars in dark reaction and water is oxidised to release oxygen in light reaction of photosynthesis. $C^{14}$ label was used to trace the path of carbon in the dark reaction in $C_3$ plants by Calvin, Benson and Basham. The $O^{18}$ label was used by Rumen and Kamen to experimentally prove that the source of oxygen released during light reaction of photosynthesis is water.