Photosynthesis: The making of ATP Flashcards
what happens when a chlorophyll molecule absorbs light energy?
it boosts the energy of a pair of electrons within the chlorophyll molecule, raising them to a higher energy level
what are the electrons said to be when they are raised to a higher energy level?
electrons are said to be in an ‘excited state’
what is photoionisation?
the electrons become so energetic that they leave/boost out of the chlorophyll molecule and become ionised
what are the electrons that leave the chlorophyll molecule taken up by?
a molecule called an electron carrier
having lost a pair of electrons, what has happened to the chlorophyll molecule?
chlorophyll molecule has become oxidised
having gained electrons, what has happened to the electron carrier molecule in the transfer chain?
electron carrier has become reduced
as the electrons pass down the electron transfer chain, what reactions do they undergo?
a series of redox reactions
where is the electron transfer chain located?
in the membranes of the thylakoids
why do electrons lose energy at each stage of the transfer chain?
because each new carrier is at a slightly lower energy level than the previous one in the chain
what is some of the energy lost in the transfer chain used for?
to combine an inorganic phosphate (Pᵢ) with ADP to form ATP
what is the name given to the mechanism of ATP production?
the Chemiosmotic Theory
how are protons (H⁺) pumped from the stroma and into the thylakoid membrane?
via protein carriers called proton pumps
where does the energy for the movement of the protons (H⁺) come from?
from the electrons released when water molecules are split by light (photolysis of water)
what further increases the proton (H⁺) concentration inside the thylakoid space?
the photolysis of water also produces protons (H⁺)
what is the concentration gradient of protons across the thylakoid membrane?
across the thylakoid membrane there is a high concentration inside the thylakoid space and a low concentration in the stroma
