Photosynthesis modeling

1. Write the full, balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis at the top of the page.

a. Draw an arrow to show which reactant becomes which product.

b. Label which reactant is oxidized (loses electrons) and which reactant is reduced
(gains electrons).

2. I have labeled the cytoplasm region outside the chloroplast in the diagram. Label the two
chloroplast membranes and the two regions found inside the chloroplast.

3. Identify the two broad steps of photosynthesis and indicate where they occur in the diagram.

For the products made in any step, draw arrows to show where that product goes next.
- Light reactions produce ATP, NADPH, and CO2 for Calvin Cycle
4. In the first step, make sure to label the following processes:

a. Indicate where light photons are absorbed (two places) and what happens as a result
- Pigments and electrons, they produce a higher energy electron for the next protein
b. The role of water in this process, where it goes, and what it becomes as a result of
doing its job
- PS2 needs electrons, so H2O splits into hydrogen and oxygen and supplies the
chlorophyll with electrons (photolysis).
c. The direction of proton flow due to the electron transport chain and chemiosmosis
- Pumped in, comes out to make ATP
d. Where high-energy electrons are generated, where they travel, where they eventually
end up
- PS2, sunlight excites the electron to travel to the next protein, ends up in Calvin
Cycle, remaking glucose bonds
5. For the second overall step, identify what three chemicals go in to the overall process and in
what form they leave (one product is the overall goal, where do the other two products go?)
- Sunlight, CO2, and H2O -> create ATP, other two products are broken down to make ATP
6. This modeling activity showed photosynthesis in a eukaryotic cell (a plant cell or an algal
protist cell, for example). Briefly discuss how the same steps would take place in a
prokaryotic cyanobacterium.
- All the same steps would occur, light reactions and the Calvin Cycle. However, the
prokaryotic cyanobacterium would not have a Photosystem 2, therefore having Cyclic
Electron Flow. In this type of electron flow, PS1 and specific proteins would be used, but
would not produce NADPH. And since the Calvin Cycle needs NADPH to run, it would
not run the same. ATP would only be produced through the Cyclic Electron Flow.
 cytoplasm outside chloroplast Photosynthesis in an autotrophic eukaryotic cell
6CO2+12H2O -> C6H12O6+6H2O+6O2

Thylakoid Space
Light reactions

more proteins like

more proteins like the onesmembrane
Thylakoid above
the ones above
Calvin Cycle (dark reaction)

more proteins like more proteins like

the ones above the ones above