Stages

Light Dependent
Chlorophyll captures energy from the Sun
Photons excite the electrons in chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is oxidized during this reaction
ADP is reduced to ATP
NADP+ is reduced to NADPH + H+
Occurs on the membrane of the thylakoid
 Stages

Light Independent Reaction

Carbon fixation
Carbon from the atmosphere is used to make organic
molecules like glucose
Occurs in both light and dark times
Occurs in the stroma
 Chloroplast

Structure Function

Thylakoid Surface Area Increases surface for light absoption

Space inside thylakoid Accumulation of H+ ions for

concentration gradient

Stroma Concentration of molecules for the

Calvin Cycle
 Light

Light emitted from the

Sun consist of a large
electromagnetic
spectrum of energy

Visible light makes up a

very small portion
Red= long wavelengths
Blue=short
wavelengths
 Absorption Spectra

Wavelengths of light that

are absorbed by plant
pigments

Chlorophyll
Absorbs Red and Blue
Green is reflected
 Action Spectra

Wavelengths of light that

create higher or lower
rates of photosynthesis
Red & Blue create the
maximum rate of
photosynthesis
Yellow-Green show
the lowest rates
 Limiting Factors

Light Intensity

Carbon Dioxide
Concentration

Temperature