Chapter 10: Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O + photons → C6H12O6 + 6O2
What are the two basic parts of photosynthesis?
Light-dependent and Light-independent
What is the purpose of a light-dependent reaction?
To provide Hs to join to CO2, plus the ATP needed to facilitate this
Light-dependent: major reactants
H2O, photons
Light-dependent: major products
O2, NADPH, ATP
Where do light-dependent reactions occur?
Thylakoid membrane/space (the individual disk)
What wavelengths are deep sea plants best at absorbing?
Violet/UV lights, <300nm
What wavelengths are land plants best at absorbing?
Red/infrared lights, >750nm
Photosystems
Photosynthetic pigments are light-harvesting molecules found in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. Pigments are organized along with proteins into complexes called photosystems. Each photosystem has light-harvesting complexes that contain proteins, chlorophylls, and other pigments. When a pigment absorbs a photon, it is raised to an excited state, meaning that one of its electrons is boosted to a higher-energy orbital.
Photosystem 1 is activated at…
700nm
Photosystem 2 is activated at…
680nm
What is the purpose of light-independent reactions? (Calvin Cycle)
Add Hs to CO2 to form sugar
Light-independent: major reactants
CO2, NADPH, ATP, RuBP (photosynthetic enzyme)
Light-independent: major products
Glucose, NADP+, RuBP
Where do light-independent reactions occur?
Stroma (gel inside chloroplast)
