Photosynthesis: Light Energy Conversion

Study Notes

Definition

Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds (glucose)

Overall Equation

Light-Dependent Reactions

Occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast
Light energy is absorbed by pigments such as chlorophyll and converted into ATP and NADPH
Two stages:
1. Light absorption and electron transport
2. Reduction of NADP+ to NADPH and ATP synthesis

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

Occur in the stroma of the chloroplast
CO2 is fixed into organic compounds using ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions
Regeneration of RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) to continue the cycle

Pigments

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds (glucose)
Produces glucose and oxygen as byproducts

Occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast
Two stages:
- Light absorption and electron transport
- Reduction of NADP+ to NADPH and ATP synthesis
Light energy is absorbed by pigments such as chlorophyll and converted into ATP and NADPH

Occur in the stroma of the chloroplast
CO2 is fixed into organic compounds using ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions
Regeneration of RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) to continue the cycle

An irrational number is a real number that cannot be expressed as a finite decimal or fraction (ratio of integers).
Examples of irrational numbers include π (pi), e, √2, and the square root of any non-perfect square.
Irrational numbers have decimal expansions that are infinite and non-repeating.

Decimal expansion is a way of representing real numbers using a sequence of digits after the decimal point.
There are two types of decimal expansions: terminating decimals and non-terminating decimals.
Terminating decimals are decimals that end after a finite number of digits (e.g., 1/4 = 0.25).
Non-terminating decimals are decimals that go on indefinitely (e.g., 1/3 = 0.333...).
Irrational numbers have non-terminating, non-repeating decimal expansions.

Commutative Property of Addition: a + b = b + a.
Associative Property of Addition: (a + b) + c = a + (b + c).
Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition: a(b + c) = ab + ac.
Existence of Additive Identity: there exists a number 0 such that a + 0 = a.
Existence of Multiplicative Identity: there exists a number 1 such that a × 1 = a.
Density of Real Numbers: between any two real numbers, there exists another real number.