The chemical equation for photosynthesis is 6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2. This equation represents the process by which plants and other organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, synthesizing glucose and releasing oxygen as a byproduct/05%3A_Microbial_Metabolism/5.11%3A_Phototrophy/5.11B%3A_Main_Structures_and_Summary_of_Photosynthesis). In this reaction, six molecules of carbon dioxide and six molecules of water react in the presence of sunlight to produce one molecule of glucose and six molecules of oxygen.