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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of the light reactions in photosynthesis?
What is the primary purpose of the light reactions in photosynthesis?
In which part of the chloroplast do the light-independent reactions occur?
In which part of the chloroplast do the light-independent reactions occur?
What does the Calvin cycle primarily use to synthesize glucose?
What does the Calvin cycle primarily use to synthesize glucose?
What role does water play in the light reactions?
What role does water play in the light reactions?
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What happens to ATP and NADPH after they are produced in the light reactions?
What happens to ATP and NADPH after they are produced in the light reactions?
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How does the proton gradient contribute to ATP production during photosynthesis?
How does the proton gradient contribute to ATP production during photosynthesis?
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Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between ATP and NADPH during photosynthesis?
Which of the following statements best describes the relationship between ATP and NADPH during photosynthesis?
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What is a significant challenge faced by the Calvin cycle when synthesizing glucose?
What is a significant challenge faced by the Calvin cycle when synthesizing glucose?
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Which molecule acts as the endpoint for the electrons derived from water in the light reactions?
Which molecule acts as the endpoint for the electrons derived from water in the light reactions?
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Which component is NOT directly involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
Which component is NOT directly involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
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What is the primary purpose of photosynthesis in plants?
What is the primary purpose of photosynthesis in plants?
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Where within the chloroplast do the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place?
Where within the chloroplast do the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place?
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Which statement describes the difference between the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis?
Which statement describes the difference between the light-dependent and light-independent reactions of photosynthesis?
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What role do guard cells play in the process of photosynthesis?
What role do guard cells play in the process of photosynthesis?
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What happens to the oxygen produced during photosynthesis?
What happens to the oxygen produced during photosynthesis?
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What describes the concept of reduction in the context of photosynthesis?
What describes the concept of reduction in the context of photosynthesis?
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Which type of energy transformation occurs during photosynthesis?
Which type of energy transformation occurs during photosynthesis?
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Which pigments are primarily responsible for capturing light energy in plants?
Which pigments are primarily responsible for capturing light energy in plants?
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What is the significance of mesophyll cells in leaves?
What is the significance of mesophyll cells in leaves?
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Why do plants appear green?
Why do plants appear green?
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What is the function of NADPH in photosynthesis?
What is the function of NADPH in photosynthesis?
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In which part of the electromagnetic spectrum do plants primarily absorb light for photosynthesis?
In which part of the electromagnetic spectrum do plants primarily absorb light for photosynthesis?
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Which of the following does not occur during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
Which of the following does not occur during the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
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What gas is primarily exchanged through the stomata during photosynthesis?
What gas is primarily exchanged through the stomata during photosynthesis?
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What is the primary role of photosystem 2 in the light reactions of photosynthesis?
What is the primary role of photosystem 2 in the light reactions of photosynthesis?
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Which process is responsible for the reduction of nadp+ to form nadph?
Which process is responsible for the reduction of nadp+ to form nadph?
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What do the high-energy electrons released from photosystem 1 primarily provide for the dark reactions?
What do the high-energy electrons released from photosystem 1 primarily provide for the dark reactions?
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Which part of chlorophyll allows it to anchor to the thylakoid membrane?
Which part of chlorophyll allows it to anchor to the thylakoid membrane?
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What is the function of ATP synthase in the light reactions of photosynthesis?
What is the function of ATP synthase in the light reactions of photosynthesis?
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What is the primary reason chlorophyll does not absorb green light?
What is the primary reason chlorophyll does not absorb green light?
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Which statement best describes cyclic electron flow?
Which statement best describes cyclic electron flow?
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What does the absorption spectrum display?
What does the absorption spectrum display?
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During the light reactions, what happens to the electrons when they reach photosystem 1?
During the light reactions, what happens to the electrons when they reach photosystem 1?
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Why do plants appear green?
Why do plants appear green?
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How does photosystem 2 replace lost electrons?
How does photosystem 2 replace lost electrons?
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What is the name of the model that describes the energetic flow of electrons through photosystems?
What is the name of the model that describes the energetic flow of electrons through photosystems?
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What type of reaction occurs when chlorophyll absorbs light?
What type of reaction occurs when chlorophyll absorbs light?
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Why is it necessary to generate more ATP than nadph in the light reactions?
Why is it necessary to generate more ATP than nadph in the light reactions?
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What happens to the excited electrons in chlorophyll after they absorb light?
What happens to the excited electrons in chlorophyll after they absorb light?
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Which chlorophyll type is more efficient at absorbing red light?
Which chlorophyll type is more efficient at absorbing red light?
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What does the term photophosphorylation refer to?
What does the term photophosphorylation refer to?
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What is the primary function of cyclic photophosphorylation?
What is the primary function of cyclic photophosphorylation?
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What is a key distinction between the light reactions and dark reactions of photosynthesis?
What is a key distinction between the light reactions and dark reactions of photosynthesis?
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How does light absorption impact the electrons in photosystem 1?
How does light absorption impact the electrons in photosystem 1?
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How does photosystem I differ from photosystem II?
How does photosystem I differ from photosystem II?
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What is required to regenerate RUBP from G3P in the last phase of the Calvin cycle?
What is required to regenerate RUBP from G3P in the last phase of the Calvin cycle?
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In terms of energy, electrons that have passed through the Z scheme will have what type of profile?
In terms of energy, electrons that have passed through the Z scheme will have what type of profile?
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In Engelman's experiment, which light wavelengths resulted in oxygen production?
In Engelman's experiment, which light wavelengths resulted in oxygen production?
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What property indicates that chlorophyll molecules cluster together?
What property indicates that chlorophyll molecules cluster together?
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What do carotenoids and anthocyanins add to plant coloration during autumn?
What do carotenoids and anthocyanins add to plant coloration during autumn?
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What is the main outcome of the noncyclic electron flow during light reactions?
What is the main outcome of the noncyclic electron flow during light reactions?
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What is the first step that occurs in the Calvin cycle?
What is the first step that occurs in the Calvin cycle?
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Which molecule must carbon dioxide be attached to in order to be processed in the Calvin cycle?
Which molecule must carbon dioxide be attached to in order to be processed in the Calvin cycle?
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What happens to the unstable six-carbon molecule formed in the first stage of the Calvin cycle?
What happens to the unstable six-carbon molecule formed in the first stage of the Calvin cycle?
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What process uses ATP and NADPH to convert PGA into G3P during the Calvin cycle?
What process uses ATP and NADPH to convert PGA into G3P during the Calvin cycle?
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How many molecules of G3P exit the Calvin cycle for every six molecules produced?
How many molecules of G3P exit the Calvin cycle for every six molecules produced?
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What do accessory pigments do in photosynthesis?
What do accessory pigments do in photosynthesis?
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What type of enzyme combines CO2 with RUBP during the Calvin cycle?
What type of enzyme combines CO2 with RUBP during the Calvin cycle?
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What does the Calvin cycle primarily produce from the fixed carbon dioxide?
What does the Calvin cycle primarily produce from the fixed carbon dioxide?
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How many ATP molecules are used for every molecule of G3P produced in the Calvin cycle?
How many ATP molecules are used for every molecule of G3P produced in the Calvin cycle?
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What is the significance of G3P produced in the Calvin cycle for the plant?
What is the significance of G3P produced in the Calvin cycle for the plant?
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What type of flow is sometimes required in the Calvin cycle to ensure sufficient ATP is produced?
What type of flow is sometimes required in the Calvin cycle to ensure sufficient ATP is produced?
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How many times must the Calvin cycle turn to produce one glucose molecule?
How many times must the Calvin cycle turn to produce one glucose molecule?
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What is the total number of carbon atoms involved after carbon fixation step with three separate CO2 molecules?
What is the total number of carbon atoms involved after carbon fixation step with three separate CO2 molecules?
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During which stage of the Calvin cycle is PGA converted to G3P?
During which stage of the Calvin cycle is PGA converted to G3P?
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Which chemical compound is NOT directly involved in the Calvin cycle reactions?
Which chemical compound is NOT directly involved in the Calvin cycle reactions?
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Study Notes
Photosynthesis Overview
- Photosynthesis is an energy transformation process.
- Plants convert light energy from the sun into chemical energy (glucose).
- The goal of photosynthesis is to produce glucose for the plant's energy needs (ATP).
- Plants also perform cellular respiration to use glucose and produce ATP.
- Photosynthesis is the reverse of respiration.
- Photosynthesis is a redox reaction.
- Carbon dioxide is reduced during photosynthesis.
- Water molecules are oxidized to release oxygen.
- Photosynthesis occurs inside chloroplasts.
Chloroplast Structure & Function
- Chloroplasts have a double membrane structure.
- Inside the chloroplast, thylakoids are stacked into grana.
- The fluid inside the chloroplast (excluding the thylakoids) is called the stroma.
- The space inside each thylakoid is called the thylakoid space.
- The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur within the thylakoid membrane.
Light and Pigments
- Plants are green because chlorophyll absorbs all colors of light except for green.
- Plants contain various pigments, including chlorophyll (green), carotenoids (yellow/orange), and anthocyanins (red/purple).
- Pigments absorb specific wavelengths of light and reflect others.
- Chlorophyll absorbs red and blue wavelengths of light the most.
- In the fall, chlorophyll breaks down, revealing other pigments and causing leaves to change color.
Leaf Structures and Photosynthesis
- The mesophyll cells within the leaf are responsible for photosynthesis.
- There are two types of mesophyll cells: palisade mesophyll (densely packed, directly under the epidermis) and spongy mesophyll (loosely packed, with air spaces for gas exchange).
- Stomata are holes in the bottom of the leaf that allow for gas exchange.
- Guard cells surround each stoma, regulating their opening and closing.
- Stomata allow carbon dioxide to enter the leaf for photosynthesis and oxygen to exit.
- Stomata also allow water vapor to move, depending on the humidity levels.
- Photosynthesis may occur in the stems of plants, but respiration occurs in all internal and underground structures.
Chlorophyll & Light Absorption
- Chlorophyll is composed of two different chemicals, Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b, each with a slightly different structure that allows them to absorb different wavelengths of light.
- Chlorophyll absorbs all wavelengths of light except green, which is reflected, making plants appear green.
- Pigments can be analyzed by shining light through them and measuring the amount of light absorbed at each wavelength. This creates an absorption spectra graph.
- Chlorophyll a is more efficient at absorbing violet, blue, and red light.
- Chlorophyll b is more efficient at absorbing light in the blue and orange wavelengths.
- Carotenoids are yellow-orange pigments that absorb some green light.
- Plant leaves are not always green due to other pigments being present. Chlorophyll breaks down in the fall, allowing these other pigments to become visible.
### The Structure of Chlorophyll
- The chlorophyll molecule resembles hemoglobin, but contains magnesium instead of iron.
- Chlorophyll has a hydrophobic tail that anchors it within the membrane of the chloroplast, while a polar head extends outwards, facing away from the membrane.
- The head of the chlorophyll molecule has a large surface area, and acts as the light-capturing portion.
Photosynthesis: The Light Reactions
- Photosynthesis involves capturing light energy and using it to break down water and produce ATP and NADPH.
- Photosystem I and Photosystem II are chlorophyll-containing complexes embedded in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast.
- These photosystems function to collect light and use it to excite electrons.
- Energy is transferred from one chlorophyll molecule to another until it reaches the reaction center, a special chlorophyll molecule, where electrons become excited.
The "Antenna Complex" & Electron Flow
- The antenna complex is a group of chlorophyll molecules that surround the reaction center.
- Light energy is passed from one chlorophyll molecule to another until it reaches the reaction center.
- Non-cyclic electron flow is a process where electrons are excited by light energy and are transferred away from the reaction center, never returning.
Water Splitting & Electron Replacement
- When electrons leave the reaction center, they are replaced by electrons from the splitting of water.
- This process releases oxygen as a byproduct.
- Splitting water also generates hydrogen ions (H+), which are used to create a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane.
Electron Transport Chains & Proton Gradient
- The excited electrons from Photosystem II are transferred to Photosystem I by a chain of electron carriers embedded in the thylakoid membrane.
- This electron transport chain is similar to the one used in cellular respiration.
- As the excited electrons flow along the chain, protons are pumped across the membrane, creating a proton gradient (high concentration of protons in the thylakoid lumen).
ATP Production
- The proton gradient generated by the electron transport chain is used to generate ATP.
- ATP is created by the ATP synthase complex, which uses the energy of the proton gradient to combine ATP and ADP.
Photosystem 1
- Electrons from Photosystem 2 are used to replace lost electrons in Photosystem 1.
- Photosystem 1 also absorbs light to excite electrons again.
- Electrons from Photosystem 1 are channeled towards NADP reductase.
NADP Reductase
- NADP reductase reduces NADP+ to NADPH.
- NADPH is a high-energy electron carrier used in the Calvin cycle.
ATP Synthase
- ATP synthase is used in both respiration and photosynthesis.
- ATP is generated through the movement of protons across a membrane.
Cyclic Electron Flow
- Cyclic electron flow only involves Photosystem 1.
- This process only generates ATP, not NADPH.
- It bypasses NADP reductase and uses the cytochrome complex to create a proton gradient.
- This process allows for the production of extra ATP when needed.
Calvin Cycle
- Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast.
- Utilizes ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions.
- Carbon dioxide fixation is the first step.
- It involves three phases: carbon fixation, reduction reactions, and regeneration of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP).
- Carbon fixation involves the attachment of carbon dioxide to RuBP by Rubisco.
- Three carbon dioxide molecules are added to three RuBP molecules.
- The six carbon molecules produced rapidly break down into six 3-carbon molecules called PGA (phosphoglycerate).
- Reduction reactions use ATP and NADPH to convert PGA to G3P (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate).
- One G3P molecule exits the cycle and is used for glucose synthesis or other metabolic pathways.
- The remaining five G3P molecules regenerate RuBP.
- This process consumes 9 ATP and 6 NADPH for every glucose molecule produced.
Regulation of Photosynthesis
- The Calvin cycle uses more ATP than NADPH.
- Cyclic electron flow is used to generate extra ATP when needed.
- Flexibility in the use of G3P allows for a variety of metabolic pathways to be utilized depending on the plant's needs.
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Description
This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of photosynthesis, including its energy transformation process and the role of chloroplasts in plants. It explores the key reactions, structures, and functions involved in converting light energy into chemical energy. Test your knowledge about the essential processes that support plant life.
