Which is a fate of the oxygen produced during photosynthesis?

• A. Trapped in chloroplasts
• B. Converted to nitrogen
• C. Used to form starch
• D. Used in respiration

Answer: (C)

Oxygen produced in photosynthesis is a by-product of splitting water in the light reactions. That oxygen is released as O2 gas, and some of it can also be used by plant cells in respiration to help release energy. It’s not stored in chloroplasts, it isn’t used to form starch, and the oxygen in starch mainly comes from carbon dioxide, not from the O2 gas produced. So the fate that fits is that the oxygen can be used in respiration.