Light dependent and light independent stages of photosynthesis

Question 1

Describe the light dependent stage

Answer 1

Light energy is absorbed by the green pigment chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of leaf cells
This light energy is converted to chemical energy in the form of ATP molecules
Light energy is used to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen ions (Photolysis)
The hydrogen ions are used to reduce NADP+ to NADPH.

Note: ATP molecules and NADPH are channelled and used in the light-independent stage

Question 2

Describe the light independent stage

Answer 2

NADPH from the light-dependent stage is used to reduce carbon dioxide to glucose
This process of reduction requires chemical energy in the form of ATP molecules (Produced in the light-dependent stage)
Enzymes are needed in the light independent stage, thus it is temperature dependent