Leaf Cell

Chloroplast Structure
Chloroplast Structure
 CHLOROPLAST STRUCTURE

Sub-components:

1. Lamellae (means membranes)

a. Stroma lamellae (double membranes)

b. Grana lamellae ( stacked membranes)

Most leaf pigments are in the chloroplast membranes

2. Stroma - Fluid area between

membranes
Light Absorption

by Leaf Pigments
PHOTOSYNTHESIS = Light Reactions + Dark Reactions

Photosynthetic
y p
process in leaves occurs in leaf
chloroplasts (1 to 10 micrometers in diameter):

1. Light Reactions (electron transport)

2. Dark Reactions (incorporation of CO2 into plant

constituents)
Light reactions

The conversion of light energy into chemical energy –

occurs in the membranes of chloroplast

Dark reaction

The reduction of CO2 into plant constituents -

occurs in the stroma chloroplast.

chloroplast
Light Reactions
off
Photosynthesis
y
 >700 nm

<680 nm
Modes of Action – Diuron & Paraquat Herbicides
 Summary of Light Reactions

Light reaction yields:

1 ATP (adenosine
1. ( d i ttriphosphate)
i h h t ) ADP ((adenosine
d i didiphosphate)
h h t ) + Pi

Energy
Pi = Inorganic phosphorous

2. NADPH = nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide phosphate

NADPH is a source of electrons. It can pass its electrons to other

compounds
p which can then use those electrons to form carbon to carbon
bonds (C-C), the building blocks of plants.

via the Dark Reactions

 Summary of Light Reactions

Hill Reaction – splitting

p g of water,, releasing
gpprotons,, electrons,,
and oxygen

Electron Transport – passing of electrons from one compound

to another; occurs in grana of leaf

Reduction – addition of electrons, such as in formation of

NADPH (electrons
( l t originally
i i ll from
f water
t transferred
t f d from
f compound
d
to compound and then used to reduce NADP+ to NADPH

Both ATP and NADPH are required for the

Dark Reactions of Photosynthesis

 Summary of Light Reactions

ELECTRON TRANSPORT (light reaction) provides the pathway for

converting light energy into chemical energy.

ELECTRON TRANSPORT (light reaction) provides an energy source

(ATP) and a source of electrons (NADPH), both of which are required for
forming C
C-C
C bonds of plant structures.
structures

NADPH and ATP serve as the chemical carriers of light energy until their
energy and electrons are transferred into carbon bonds (dark reaction:
reduction of CO2).

PHOTOPHOSPHORYLATION = Formation of ATP in the p presence of

light. Light energy is converted to chemical energy.

ADP + Pi ATP (high energy P bonds in ATP, which can be

later broken to provide energy)
 LIGHT QUALITY

For Photosynthesis:
Most efficient
1. Red light

2 Blue light
2.

3. Green light Least efficient

Cytochromes: Pigments involved in electron transport

transport.
Similar in chemical structure to chlorophyll.
Linkage of Light and Dark Reactions