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Questions and Answers
Where do the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis primarily occur?
Where do the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis primarily occur?
Which molecule is the primary product of carbon fixation in the Calvin Cycle?
Which molecule is the primary product of carbon fixation in the Calvin Cycle?
Which enzyme is responsible for carbon fixation during the Calvin Cycle?
Which enzyme is responsible for carbon fixation during the Calvin Cycle?
What are the final products of the light-dependent reactions?
What are the final products of the light-dependent reactions?
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What role does the proton gradient play in the light-dependent reactions?
What role does the proton gradient play in the light-dependent reactions?
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How does photosynthesis contribute to the regulation of Earth's climate?
How does photosynthesis contribute to the regulation of Earth's climate?
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Study Notes
Overview of Photosynthesis
- Definition: Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds, such as glucose.
- Occurs in specialized organelles called chloroplasts, found in plant cells.
Light-Dependent Reactions
- Light absorption: Light energy is absorbed by pigments such as chlorophyll and other accessory pigments in the thylakoid membrane.
- Electron transport: Energy from light is used to generate a proton gradient, driving the synthesis of ATP and NADPH.
- ATP and NADPH production: ATP and NADPH are produced and used to fuel the light-independent reactions.
Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)
- Carbon fixation: CO2 is fixed into a 3-carbon molecule called 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) via the enzyme RuBisCO.
- Reduction reactions: 3-PGA is reduced to form glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) using ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions.
- Regeneration: The G3P molecules are used to regenerate RuBP, the 5-carbon molecule that binds to CO2.
Net Equation of Photosynthesis
- 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
Importance of Photosynthesis
- Produces oxygen: Oxygen is released as a byproduct, supporting aerobic life.
- Supports food chains: Glucose produced during photosynthesis is used as energy and building blocks for other organisms.
- Regulates Earth's climate: Photosynthesis removes CO2 from the atmosphere, helping to regulate Earth's climate.
Definition and Overview
- Process that converts light energy into chemical energy, producing organic compounds like glucose.
- Occurs in chloroplasts, specialized organelles in plant cells.
Light-Dependent Reactions
- Light energy is absorbed by pigments like chlorophyll and other accessory pigments in the thylakoid membrane.
- Energy from light generates a proton gradient, driving synthesis of ATP and NADPH.
- ATP and NADPH are produced, fueling light-independent reactions.
Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)
- CO2 is fixed into 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) via RuBisCO enzyme.
- 3-PGA is reduced to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) using ATP and NADPH.
- G3P molecules regenerate RuBP, the 5-carbon molecule that binds to CO2.
Net Equation of Photosynthesis
- 6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 (glucose) + 6 O2
Importance of Photosynthesis
- Produces oxygen, supporting aerobic life.
- Supports food chains, with glucose used as energy and building blocks.
- Regulates Earth's climate by removing CO2 from the atmosphere.
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Description
Learn about the process of photosynthesis, where plants and some organisms convert light energy into chemical energy, and its light-dependent reactions.
