28 - Photosynthesis: Light Reactions and Dark Reactions Flashcards
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis? (just list what goes on either side of the equation with correct stoichiometry)
In
- Energy
- 6 CO2
- 6 H2O
Out
- 1 C6H12O6 (glucose)
- 6 O2
What 4 process do both photosynthesis and respiration rely on?
- Both rely on the transfer of electrons
- Both generate a proton-motive force that drives the synthesis of ATP
- The ATP synthase and other components in plants and animals share features and overall organization
- Both processes are carried out in a spatially defined manner within double membraned-organelles
Where does photosynthesis occur?
In the chloroplasts
What are the 7 components of chloroplasts? (just able to recognize)
- Outer membrane
- stromal lamella
- Inner membrane
- Intermembrane compartment
- Granum
- Stroma
- Thylakoid compartment
True or false, mitochondria have reactions that involve light and reactions that are light independent?
True. Light and dark reactions occur in the chloroplast, but they are distinct.
Where do light reactions occur in chloroplasts?
Within the thylakoid membrane
Where do light independent (dark) reactions occur in chloroplasts?
In the stroma
What are light reactions of chloroplasts?
Light energy driving the synthesis of NADPH and ATP, H2O is oxidized to O2
What are the light-independent reactions of chloroplasts (dark)?
The NADPH and ATP (made from light reactions) are used to make sugar from CO2
What are chlorophylls?
Pigments of light reaction.
The overall structure of chlorophyll is similar to the heme groups of hemoglobin and cytochromes, but with a cyclopentanone ring fused to pyrrole ring III and a Mg ion where Fe ions ar found in hemes and cytochromes
What is chlrorophyll a?
Chlorophyll a absorbs light energy and it is light harvesting
What is chlorophyll b?
It is only a light harvesting pigment
What are 2 light absorbing pigments that aren’t chlorophyll?
- Carotenoids (eg. lutein and B-carotene harvest light)
- Pheophytin has a different role we’ll see later
Why are plants green? (it’s not just because they have chlorophyll, go deeper)
Chlorophyll a and b absorb red and blue light, which is why plants are predominantly green, it is the colour that they are not absorbing
Once chlorophylls gain energy, what do they do with it?
They transfer energy from photons to neighbouring chlorophylls until the energy is released or captured by a reaction centre (P700 chlorophyll a is a very strong reducing agent that acts as a reaction centre)
This means that light capturing molecules are light harvestors, they have no direct role in photosynthesis