Photosynthesis Process

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 (e.g., glucose)
• Occurs in specialized organelles called chloroplasts

Light-Dependent Reactions

• Light absorption by pigments (e.g., chlorophyll) in the thylakoid membrane
• Energy from light is used to generate ATP and NADPH
• Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen ions

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

• CO2 is fixed into organic compounds using ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions
• Produces glucose and releases oxygen as a byproduct

Respiration

Overview

• Process by which cells generate energy from the breakdown of glucose and other organic molecules
• Occurs in the mitochondria

Aerobic Respiration

• Glucose is broken down into pyruvate in the cytosol
• Pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria and converted into ATP through the electron transport chain
• Oxygen is the final electron acceptor, producing water as a byproduct

Anaerobic Respiration

• Occurs in the absence of oxygen
• Glucose is broken down into lactic acid or ethanol and carbon dioxide
• Produces less ATP than aerobic respiration

Photosynthesis

• Plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of organic compounds, such as glucose.
• This process occurs in specialized organelles called chloroplasts.

Light-Dependent Reactions

• Light absorption by pigments, such as chlorophyll, in the thylakoid membrane.
• Energy from light is used to generate ATP and NADPH.
• Water is split into oxygen and hydrogen ions.

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

• CO2 is fixed into organic compounds using ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions.
• Glucose is produced and oxygen is released as a byproduct.

Respiration

• Cells generate energy from the breakdown of glucose and other organic molecules.
• This process occurs in the mitochondria.

Aerobic Respiration

• Glucose is broken down into pyruvate in the cytosol.
• Pyruvate is transported into the mitochondria and converted into ATP through the electron transport chain.
• Oxygen is the final electron acceptor, producing water as a byproduct.

Anaerobic Respiration

• This process occurs in the absence of oxygen.
• Glucose is broken down into lactic acid or ethanol and carbon dioxide.
• Produces less ATP than aerobic respiration.