[11.2] the light-dependent reaction Flashcards
what is the purpose of the light energy captured in the LDR?
- to add Pi to ADP, making ATP
- to split water into H+ ions (protons) and OH- ions
what is photolysis?
splitting due to light
where does the LDR take place?
membrane of thylakoid
describe the process of photoionisation
- chlorophyll molecule absorbs light energy
- energy of pair of electrons in this chlorophyll is boosted, raising them to a higher level (excited state)
- electrons become so energetic that they leave chlorophyll molecule altogether
- chlorophyll molecule becomes ionised
what is oxidised and reduced after photoionisation?
- chlorophyll molecule is oxidised as it lost a pair of electrons
- electron carrier is reduced as it has gained electrons
what happens after the electrons leave the chlorophyll molecule?
- electrons are taken up by an electron carrier
- electrons are passed along a number of electron carriers in a series of redox reactions
- electron carriers form a transfer chain
how do electrons lose their energy at each stage?
each new carrier is at a slightly lower energy level than the previous one in the chain
what is some of the energy lost from electrons used for?
to combine a Pi with ADP to make ATP
describe chemiosmotic theory
- each thylakoid is an enclosed chamber into which protons (H+) are pumped from stroma using protein pumps in TM
- energy for this process is from electrons, released in photolysis
- photolysis of water also produces protons, further increasing their conc in the TS
- overall, this creates and maintains a conc grad of protons across the TM. high conc inside TS, low conc in stroma
- protons can only cross TM through ATP synthase channel proteins
- as the protons pass through ATP synthase channels, they cause changes to the structure of the enzyme
- this catalyses the combination of ADP with Pi to form ATP
describe the photolysis of water
- loss of electrosn when light strikes a chlorophyll molecules leaves it short of electrons
- electrons must be replaced if the chlorophyll molecule is to continue absorbing light energy
- replacement electrons are provided from water molecules that are split using light energy
- this photolysis of water also yields protons
what is the equation for the photolysis of water?
2H₂O ➞ 4H⁺ + 4e⁻ + O₂
what happens to the protons released from photolysis?
- pass out of TS through ATP synthase channels
- taken up by an electron carrier NADP
- when NADP takes up protons it becomes reduced
what happens to NADP?
- main product of LDS
- enters LIDR, taking electrons from chlorophyll molecules with it
why is reduced NADP important?
it is a further potential source of chemical energy to the plant
what happens to the oxgen produced during photolysis?
- used in respiration
- diffuses out of the leaf as a waste product of photosynthesis