Inputs:

* Carbon dioxide (CO2): The source of carbon for building sugars.

* Water (H2O): Provides hydrogen atoms and electrons.

* Light energy: The energy source that drives the process.

Outputs:

* Glucose (C6H12O6): A simple sugar that serves as the primary energy source for plants and other organisms.

* Oxygen (O2): A byproduct of the process, which is released into the atmosphere.

Simplified equation:

6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2

In essence, photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose, while releasing oxygen as a byproduct.