What substance is produced as a result of photosynthesis?

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy, usually from the sun, into chemical energy stored in glucose, a simple sugar. During this process, carbon dioxide and water are used, and oxygen is released as a byproduct. The transformation of light energy into chemical energy effectively produces glucose, which serves as a fundamental energy source for the plant and can be utilized in various metabolic processes.

Glucose is crucial because it not only provides immediate energy for the plant through cellular respiration but also serves as a building block for more complex carbohydrates, like starch and cellulose. In some cases, plants may convert excess glucose into starch for storage, but the direct product of photosynthesis is indeed glucose.

Fructose is a type of sugar found in fruits, but it is not a direct product of photosynthesis. Lactic acid is generated in anaerobic respiration in muscles and is unrelated to the photosynthetic process. Starch can be produced from glucose as a secondary product during the storage phases, but again, it is not the primary outcome of photosynthesis itself. Thus, glucose is rightly recognized as the main substance produced through photosynthesis.