Photosynthesis

Chloroplast Structure
 Photosynthetic
Reactions
1. Light dependent reactions
2. Light independent
reactions (Calvin Cycle)
Light Reactions
Light dependent reactions take place in the
thylakoid membrane, with the pigment
chlorophyll absorbing sunlight
Light Reactions
1. Energy from sunlight breaks water into H +,
oxygen (O2) and electrons (e-).
Light Reactions
2. H+ and e- are used to produce energy
carrying molecules NADPH and ATP
 Light Independent Reactions
Light independent reactions occur in the
stroma
The Calvin (C3) Cycle
 CO2 enters the leaf through
the stomates

The Calvin
(C3) Cycle
ATP and NADPH (from the light reactions)
power the creation of three carbon chains

The Calvin
(C3) Cycle
ADP and NADP+ return to the light reactions
in the thylakoid to be “recharged”

The Calvin
(C3) Cycle
 Formation of Glucose
3-carbon chains from the C3 cycle join to
form the six carbon molecule, glucose (or
other molecules required by the plant)

C-C-C + C-C-C → C-C-C-C-C-C

Glucose
C6H12O6
Net Equation for Photosynthesis

6 CO2 + 6 H2O → → → → → C6H12O6 + 6 O2

light, enzymes