During photosynthesis light energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose (sugar) and oxygen gas through a series of sequential steps.
Typically, biochemical pathways function continuously to make the products of the pathway. Each step in the pathway is catalyzed by an enzyme, or protein that speeds and regulates chemical reactions.
The products of the photosynthesis biochemical pathway are glucose and oxygen gas.
Biochemical pathways can be anabolic, catabolic or both.
Catabolic biochemical pathways involve the breakdown of complex compounds into simpler ones. Catabolic pathways release energy that can power anabolic pathways.
Anabolic biochemical pathways involve the synthesis of complex compounds from simpler ones. Photosynthesis is an anabolic biochemical pathway since light energy is used to synthesize a complex molecule, glucose, from simpler ones (carbon dioxide and water).