Photosynthesis Overview

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

Take place 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-harvesting complex: Light energy is absorbed and transferred to a special molecule called an electron acceptor
2. Electron transport chain: Energy from light is used to pump protons across the thylakoid membrane, creating a proton gradient
  - This gradient is used to produce ATP and NADPH

Series of protein complexes that transfer electrons and generate a proton gradient
Energy from light is used to pump protons across the thylakoid membrane, creating a proton gradient
This gradient is used to produce ATP and NADPH

Takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast
Uses ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to convert CO2 into glucose
Three stages:
1. Carbon fixation: CO2 is fixed into a 3-carbon molecule called 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA)
2. Reduction: 3-PGA is reduced to form glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)
3. Regeneration: G3P is used to regenerate the Calvin Cycle's own molecules, producing glucose as a byproduct

Process by which CO2 is converted into an organic compound (3-PGA)
Occurs in the Calvin Cycle
Enzyme RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase) fixes CO2 into 3-PGA

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that plays a central role in photosynthesis
Absorbs light energy and transfers it to other molecules, initiating the light-dependent reactions
Has a specific absorption spectrum, absorbing blue and red light but reflecting green light (giving plants their green color)

Process by which plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose
Occurs in specialized organelles called chloroplasts

Take place in thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast
Light energy is absorbed by pigments like chlorophyll and converted into ATP and NADPH
Light-harvesting complex: Light energy is absorbed and transferred to an electron acceptor
Electron transport chain: Energy from light pumps protons across the thylakoid membrane, creating a proton gradient
Proton gradient is used to produce ATP and NADPH

Series of protein complexes transferring electrons and generating a proton gradient
Energy from light pumps protons across the thylakoid membrane, creating a proton gradient
Gradient is used to produce ATP and NADPH

Takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast
Uses ATP and NADPH from light-dependent reactions to convert CO2 into glucose
Three stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration
Carbon fixation: CO2 is fixed into 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA)
Reduction: 3-PGA is reduced to form glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)
Regeneration: G3P is used to regenerate Calvin Cycle's own molecules, producing glucose as a byproduct

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that plays a central role in photosynthesis
Absorbs light energy and transfers it to other molecules, initiating light-dependent reactions
Has a specific absorption spectrum, absorbing blue and red light but reflecting green light (giving plants their green color)

Take place in thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts
Convert light energy into ATP and NADPH
Consist of two stages: light absorption and electron transport
Light absorption: light excites electrons in pigments, which are then transferred to electron acceptors
Electron transport: electrons are passed through a series of electron carriers, generating a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane
ATP is produced through chemiosmosis (proton gradient drives ATP synthase)
NADPH is produced through reduction of NADP+

Occurs in stroma of chloroplasts
Fixes CO2 into organic compounds using ATP and NADPH produced in light-dependent reactions
Consists of three stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration
Carbon fixation: CO2 is fixed into 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA) via the enzyme RuBisCO
Reduction: 3-PGA is reduced to form glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P) using ATP and NADPH
Regeneration: G3P is used to regenerate RuBP, the acceptor molecule in the carbon fixation stage

Series of electron carriers in thylakoid membrane that generate a proton gradient
Electrons from light-excited pigments are passed through the transport chain, losing energy at each step
Energy is used to pump protons across the membrane, creating a proton gradient
Gradient is used to produce ATP through chemiosmosis

Process of converting CO2 into organic compounds
Occurs in Calvin Cycle through the action of RuBisCO
Produces glucose and other organic compounds for plant growth and development
Supports life on Earth by providing energy and organic compounds for food chains