Photosystem II

BIOLOGY

The light reaction of photosynthesis. The light reaction occurs in two photosystems (units of chlorophyll
molecules). Light energy (indicated by wavy arrows) absorbed by photosystem II causes the formation of
high-energy electrons, which are transferred along a series of acceptor molecules in an electron
transport chain to photosystem I. Photosystem II obtains replacement electrons from water molecules,
resulting in their split into hydrogen ions (H+) and oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms combine to form
molecular oxygen (O2), which is released into the atmosphere. The hydrogen ions are released into the
lumen. Additional hydrogen ions are pumped into the lumen by electron acceptor molecules. This
creates a high concentration of ions inside the lumen. The flow of hydrogen ions back across the
photosynthetic membrane provides the energy needed to drive the synthesis of the energy-rich
molecule ATP. High-energy electrons, which are released as photosystem I absorbs light energy, are
used to drive the synthesis of NADPH. Photosystem I obtains replacement electrons from the electron
transport chain. ATP provides the energy and NADPH provides the hydrogen atoms needed to drive the
subsequent photosynthetic dark reaction, or Calvin cycle.

The light reaction of photosynthesis. The light reaction occurs in two photosystems (units of chlorophyll
molecules). Light energy (indicated by wavy arrows) absorbed by photosystem II causes the formation of
high-energy electrons, which are transferred along a series of acceptor molecules in an electron
transport chain to photosystem I. Photosystem II obtains replacement electrons from water molecules,
resulting in their split into hydrogen ions (H+) and oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms combine to form
molecular oxygen (O2), which is released into the atmosphere. The hydrogen ions are released into the
lumen. Additional hydrogen ions are pumped into the lumen by electron acceptor molecules. This
creates a high concentration of ions inside the lumen. The flow of hydrogen ions back across the
photosynthetic membrane provides the energy needed to drive the synthesis of the energy-rich
molecule ATP. High-energy electrons, which are released as photosystem I absorbs light energy, are
used to drive the synthesis of NADPH. Photosystem I obtains replacement electrons from the electron
transport chain. ATP provides the energy and NADPH provides the hydrogen atoms needed to drive the
subsequent photosynthetic dark reaction, or Calvin cycle.

© Merriam-Webster Inc.

LEARN ABOUT THIS TOPIC in these articles:

phototrophic bacteria

Mycobacterium tuberculosis
In bacteria: Phototrophic metabolism

…purple bacteria is related to photosystem II, which provides some indication of an evolutionary trail
from bacteria to plants (see photosynthesis: The process of photosynthesis: the light reactions).

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