Kailey Landeros - BIO Inv02Exp04 ExpSumA TXS25 SE

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LEVELED SUMMARY AND REVIEW
Photosynthesis
Chlorophyll and Chloroplasts
In order for photosynthesis to occur, light energy from the sun must somehow be
captured.
Light The sun’s energy travels to Earth in the form of light. Sunlight, which our
eyes perceive as “white” light, is actually a mixture of different wavelengths. Our
eyes see the different wavelengths of the visible spectrum as different colors:
shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Pigments Light-absorbing compounds are known as pigments. Photosynthetic

organisms primarily use the pigment chlorophyll to capture the energy in sunlight.
The principal pigment of green plants is known as chlorophyll. Two types of
chlorophyll, a and b, are found in plants and absorb different parts of the visible
light spectrum, primarily blue-violet and red. Chlorophyll does not absorb green
light, and leaves appear green because they reflect these wavelengths. Plants
also have red and orange carotene pigments, which we can only see when
chlorophyll breaks down during the fall.
Chloroplasts Photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplast. Chloroplasts

are surrounded by two membranes and filled with other saclike membranes
called thylakoids that contain chlorophyll. The thylakoids are arranged in stacks
called grana (singular: granum). The fluid portion of the chloroplast outside of the
grana is called the stroma.
Energy Collection Chlorophyll absorbs light very efficiently, transferring the

energy to its own electrons. These high-energy electrons are available to do
chemical work, such as building sugar molecules.
Electron Carriers Like the high-energy electrons produced by glycolysis and

the Krebs cycle, the high-energy electrons produced by chlorophyll require a
special carrier. The electron carrier used in photosynthesis is NADP+. When
NADP+ accepts two high-energy electrons, it also bonds a hydrogen ion, which
turns it into NADPH. Now the captured energy can be moved to the location in
the chloroplast where sugars are manufactured.
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An Overview of Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis uses the energy of sunlight to convert water and carbon dioxide
(low-energy reactants) into high-energy sugars and oxygen (products). The
process can be summarized in the following ways:
In Symbols:
6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
In Words:
Carbon dioxide + Water yields Sugars + Oxygen
As with cellular respiration, matter is conserved in photosynthesis. However,

rearranging the bonds between carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms in the
reactants to produce sugars and release oxygen requires an input of energy. This
energy comes from sunlight and is transferred to these molecules in a two-stage
process.
The Light-Dependent Reactions
The first steps of photosynthesis are the light-dependent reactions. As the name
indicates, the light-dependent reactions directly involve sunlight, which explains
why plants need light to grow. The light-dependent reactions use energy from
sunlight to convert ADP and NADP+ into the energy carriers ATP and NADPH.
They also release oxygen as a by-product.
The sunlight energy is captured by pigments in the thylakoid membrane. The

energy is used to convert ADP into ATP and NADP+ into NADPH. These sources
of energy are important for other steps in photosynthesis. Also, water is split
apart, which makes more electrons available and produces oxygen (O2) and
hydrogen ions (H+).
The light-dependent reactions occur across the thylakoids of chloroplasts.

Thylakoids contain most of the machinery needed to carry out photosynthesis,
including clusters of chlorophyll and proteins known as photosystems.
Photosystem II The light-dependent reactions begin in photosystem II.

Chlorophyll molecules in the photosystem absorb light, which raises electrons in
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chlorophyll to a higher energy level. These high-energy electrons (e–) are passed
from chlorophyll to the electron transport chain.
Electron Transport Chain The electron transport chain uses energy from the
electrons to pump protons (H+) from the stroma through the proteins in the chain
to the inside of the thylakoid sac. At the end of the electron transport chain, the
electrons themselves pass to a second photosystem called photosystem I.
Photosystem I In Photosystem I, the low-energy electrons from the electron

transport chain are passed to chlorophyll molecules and re-energized using light
energy. The energized electrons are passed on to an enzyme that facilitates the
production of NADPH from NADP+ and hydrogen ions. The NADPH can now
move on to the light-independent reactions.
Hydrogen Ion Movement and ATP Formation The prior steps increased the H+
concentration inside the thylakoids. Now there is a concentration gradient
between the inside and outside of the thylakoid. Because particles tend to move
from a high to low concentration, the H+ ions will move back across the thylakoid,
if given the opportunity. Like the mitochondrial inner membrane, the thylakoid
membrane contains an enzyme called ATP synthase that provides a pathway for
the hydrogen ions. As H+ ions move across the thylakoid, through the ATP
synthase protein, ADP is converted into ATP by the addition of a phosphate
group.
Summary of Light-Dependent Reactions Light energy is used to convert ADP

to ATP and NADPH+ to NADPH. Water is split apart to make electrons available
to photosystem II, which produces O2 and hydrogen ions.
The Light-Independent Reactions
The light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin cycle) occur in the stroma
and do not use sunlight. The light-independent reactions use the energy in
ATP and NADPH which is produced in the light-dependent reactions to combine
carbon dioxide (CO2) with hydrogen ions (H+) to produce sugars, primarily
glucose (C6H12O6).
Carbon Dioxide Enters the Cycle Carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is used
in the Calvin cycle to produce higher energy sugars. An enzyme in the stroma
combines the carbon dioxide molecules with a 5-carbon compound already

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present to produce 3-carbon molecules that continue into the cycle.For every six
carbon dioxide molecules that enter the cycle, twelve, 3-carbon molecules are
produced. Energy from ATP and NADPH is then used to convert the 3-carbon
molecules to a higher-energy form.
Sugar Production Two of these 3-carbon molecules are removed from the
cycle to produce glucose, a 6-carbon molecule. The other ten, 3-carbon
molecules are converted back to six of the 5-carbon molecules, which combine
with six new carbon dioxide molecules to start the cycle again.
Summary of the Calvin Cycle Six carbon dioxide molecules are needed to
produce one, 6-carbon sugar molecule, glucose. ATP and NADPH provide
energy for these reactions to occur. The plant uses these sugars to meet its
energy needs and to build other biomolecules needed for growth and
development. When animals eat plants, they can use the energy and raw
materials stored in these compounds.
The End Results The light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle work
together to produce stable high-energy sugars and oxygen gas from carbon
dioxide and water. This process also provides animals with plenty of food and an
atmosphere filled with oxygen.
Comparing Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration
Respiration is balanced by photosynthesis.
● Photosynthesis is the process that “deposits” energy.

● Cellular respiration is the process that “withdraws” energy.
Photosynthesis uses water and carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates. Cellular

respiration does the opposite by breaking down food molecules and releasing
water and carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere, and cellular respiration puts it back. Photosynthesis releases
oxygen into the atmosphere, and respiration uses that oxygen to release energy
from food.

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Factors Affecting Photosynthesis
Many factors affect the rate of chemical reactions, including those that occur
during photosynthesis.
Temperature The enzymes that carry out the light-dependent and

light-Independent reactions function best between 0°C and 35°C. Temperatures
above or below that range slow the rate of photosynthesis and can even stop it
completely.
Light High-intensity light increases the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain

point where plants reach their maximum photosynthetic rate.
Water The last factor that affects photosynthesis is water availability. A shortage
of water can halt photosynthesis. Some plants that live in dry conditions, such as
desert plants and conifers, have waxy coatings on their leaves that reduce water
loss.
1. Complete the table identifying the similarities and differences between cellular
respiration and photosynthesis.
Properties Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis
Reactants (inputs) CO2 and H20
Products (outputs)
Requires enzymes yes
Captures energy
Releases energy

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2. Label the diagram to identify the inputs and outputs of the process of
photosynthesis.
3. In what way are the products of the light-dependent reactions essential for the
light-independent reactions to function?


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LEVELED SUMMARY AND REVIEW

Chlorophyll and Chloroplasts

Pigments Light-absorbing compounds are known as pigments. Photosynthetic

Chloroplasts Photosynthesis takes place inside the chloroplast. Chloroplasts

Energy Collection Chlorophyll absorbs light very efficiently, transferring the

Electron Carriers Like the high-energy electrons produced by glycolysis and

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6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carbon dioxide + Water yields Sugars + Oxygen

As with cellular respiration, matter is conserved in photosynthesis. However,

The Light-Dependent Reactions

The sunlight energy is captured by pigments in the thylakoid membrane. The

The light-dependent reactions occur across the thylakoids of chloroplasts.

Photosystem II The light-dependent reactions begin in photosystem II.

Photosystem I In Photosystem I, the low-energy electrons from the electron

Summary of Light-Dependent Reactions Light energy is used to convert ADP

The Light-Independent Reactions

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC All Rights Reserved.

Comparing Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

Respiration is balanced by photosynthesis.

● Photosynthesis is the process that “deposits” energy.

Photosynthesis uses water and carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates. Cellular

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC All Rights Reserved.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Temperature The enzymes that carry out the light-dependent and

Light High-intensity light increases the rate of photosynthesis up to a certain

Properties Cellular Respiration Photosynthesis

Reactants (inputs) CO2 and H20

Requires enzymes yes

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC All Rights Reserved.

Copyright © Savvas Learning Company LLC All Rights Reserved.

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