bio 5A Flashcards
the process of C3 photosynthesis
what is photosynthesis
the biological process where photoautotrophs capture light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy
what is the light-dependent stage
when light energy splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen inside the thylakoid membrane
what are the inputs of the light-dependent stage
12 H2O
12 NADP+
18 ADP + Pi
what are the outputs of the light-dependent stage
6 O2
12 NADPH
18 ATP
what is the process of the light-dependent stage
i. inside the thylakoid membrane, light energy excites electrons in the chlorophyll and the electrons move along the protein in the thylakoid membrane
- the energy in the electrons as they move power the pumping of H+ into the thylakoid lumen
- water donates electrons to the chlorophyll to replace the electrons that have left
ii. oxygen is released from the chloroplast (either diffuses out of stomata or used as input for cellular respiration)
iii. H+ ions (from H2O) are used to generate NADH
- the movement of H+ down the conc. gradient generates ATP
iv. NADPH and ATP move on to the light-independent stage
what is the light-independent stage (Calvin cycle)
occurs in the stroma where instead of light, the reactions are energised by ATP and NADPH coenzymes (more productive way to use CO2 to produce glucose)
what are the inputs of the Calvin cycle
12 NADPH
18 ATP
6 CO2
what are the outputs of the Calvin cycle
1 C6H12O6
6 H2O
12 NADP+
18 ADP + Pi
what is the process of the Calvin cycle
i. carbon dioxide molecules enter the Calvin cycle and undergo initial reactions
ii. NADPH molecules donate their hydrogen and electrons and ATP breaks down into ADP + Pi which releases energy to facilitate further changes to the carbon molecules
iii. carbon molecules continue to move around the Calvin cycle and one specific 3-carbon molecule leaves (2 are needed to form glucose)
iv. some of the oxygen left over from CO2 breaking down (at beginning of cycle) combine with hydrogen ions (from NADPH) to create water (output)
