Photosynthesis & Respiration

Lecturer: Dr. Le Quang Dung

lequangdung@hus.edu.vn
 Activity 1.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.7, Act. 7B) and look at Text for
activity 1:
• Photosynthesis converts light energy to the chemical energy of sugars and other organic
• compounds. This process consists of a series of chemical reactions that require carbon
dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O) and store chemical energy in the form of sugar. Light
energy drives the reactions. Oxygen (O2) is a by-product of photosynthesis and is
released into the atmosphere. The following equation summarizes photosynthesis:
6CO2 + 6H2O --> C6H12O6 + 6O2
• Photosynthesis transfers electrons from water to energy-poor CO2 molecules, forming
energy-rich sugar molecules (C6H12O6). This electron transfer is an example of an
oxidation-reduction process: the water is oxidized (loses electrons) and the CO2 is
reduced (gains electrons). Photosynthesis uses light energy to drive the electrons from
water to their more energetic states in the sugar products, thus converting solar energy to
chemical energy.
• In plants, photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts, mainly in leaf cells. The light reactions
occur along the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplasts, where pigments capture
light energy. The sugar-making reactions of the Calvin cycle occur in the stroma, the fluid
between the inner membrane of the chloroplast and the thylakoids.
• In the light reactions, light is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules, exciting their electrons.
The energy of excited electrons is then used to join ADP and phosphate to form ATP.
NADP+ joins with excited electrons to form NADPH, which temporarily stores the
energized electrons. In the process, water is split and oxygen is released.
• In the Calvin cycle, energy from ATP, electrons from NADPH, and carbon from carbon
dioxide are combined to produce sugar molecules.
 Terms
• Photosynthesis: The conversion of light energy to chemical
energy that is stored in glucose or other organic compounds;
occurs in plants, algae, and certain prokaryotes.
• Chemical energy: Energy stored in the chemical bonds of
molecules; a form of potential energy
• Chloroplast: An organelle found only in plants and
photosynthetic microorganisms that absorbs sunlight and uses
it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon
dioxide and water
• Chlorophyll: A green pigment located within the chloroplasts
of plants. Chlorophyll a can participate directly in the light
reactions, which convert solar energy to chemical energy.
• Thylakoid: A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast,
used to convert light energy to chemical energy
• Granum (plural, grana): A stacked portion of the thylakoid
membrane in the chloroplast. Grana function in the light
reactions of photosynthesis
• Stroma: The fluid of the chloroplast surrounding the
thylakoid membrane; involved in the synthesis of organic
molecules from carbon dioxide and water
• Light reactions: The steps in photosynthesis that occur on
the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast and that convert
solar energy to the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH,
evolving oxygen in the process
• Calvin cycle: The second of two major stages in
photosynthesis (following the light reactions), involving
atmospheric CO2 fixation and reduction of the fixed carbon
into carbohydrate
A chloroplast
Activity 1.2. Read out the text
 Activity 1.3. Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

Q2: What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?

Where do they occur?

Q3: In what process is carbon dioxide involved?

Q4: What molecules are important for the light reactions?

 Activity 1.3. Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

Overview of photosynthesis
Q2: What are the two main stages of photosynthesis?
Where do they occur?
They are the light reactions and the sugar-making reactions
of the Calvin cycle.
The light reactions occur along the thylakoid membranes
within the chloroplasts. The sugar-making reactions of the
Calvin cycle occur in the stroma of the chloroplasts.
Q3: In what process is carbon dioxide involved?
The Calvin cycle
Q4: What molecules are important for the light reactions?
Chlorophyll molecules
Activity 1.4: Translate the paragraph
into Vietnamese
 Activity 1.5: Work in group:
Discuss with your friends and a
representative of each group give a
short talk (3’) about photosynthesis
(whatever you understand about it)
 Activity 2.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.7, Act. 7C) and look at Text for
activity 2:
• Sunlight is a type of energy called radiation, or electromagnetic energy.
Electromagnetic energy travels through space in a manner similar to the motion of
waves in water. The distance between the crests of two adjacent waves is called a
wavelength. The full range of electromagnetic wavelengths is known as the
electromagnetic spectrum. What we call visible light--the wavelengths that our eyes
see as different colors--is only a small fraction of the spectrum. The light reactions of
photosynthesis use only certain wavelengths, or colors, of visible light.
• The thylakoid membrane in chloroplasts contains light-absorbing molecules called
pigments. Different pigments absorb light of different wavelengths. One pigment,
chlorophyll a, absorbs mainly blue-violet and red light. This molecule participates
directly in the light reactions. Another molecule, chlorophyll b, absorbs mainly blue
and orange light. We do not see these absorbed colors when we look at a leaf.
Instead, we see the green wavelengths that are reflected back from the leaf or
transmitted through it.
 Terms
• Electromagnetic energy: The energy from
the emission of electromagnetic waves by all
objects warmer than absolute zero.
• Wavelength: The distance between crests of
waves, such as those of the electromagnetic
spectrum
• Electromagnetic spectrum: The entire
spectrum of radiation ranging in wavelength
from less than a nanometer to more than a
kilometer.
• Pigment: coloring matter
Activity 2.2. Read out the text
 Activity 2.3. Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: According to the first paragraph, what kind of light is

used in the light reactions of photosynthesis?

Q2: What can be said about a specific type of pigments?

Q3: Why do we see that leaves are green?

 Activity 2.3. Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: According to the first paragraph, what kind of light is

used in the light reactions of photosynthesis?
A fraction of visible light
Q2: What can be said about a specific type of pigments?
It only absorbs specific types of light
Q3: Why do we see that leaves are green?
We only see green wavelengths reflected back from or
transmitted through the leaves
Activity 2.4: Translate the paragraphs
into Vietnamese
Activity 2.5: Give a talk to summarize
the content of the paragraphs
 Activity 3.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.7, Act. 7D, steps 2-3) and look at
Text for activity 3:
• The photosystems consist of arrays of chlorophyll molecules. Chlorophyll-- the green
pigment of leaves-- absorbs light energy. The absorbed energy excites electrons to a
higher energy level. Energized electrons from photosystem I are passed down an
electron transport chain and added to NADP+ to form NADPH. Meanwhile, energized
electrons from photosystem II are passed through another electron transport chain.
Their energy is used to pump hydrogen ions (H+) from the stroma into the thylakoid
compartment, creating a concentration gradient. Electrons leaving this electron
transport chain enter photosystem I, replenishing its lost electrons. Photosystem II
replenishes its electrons by splitting water. Hydrogen ions and oxygen are released
into the thylakoid compartment. This is where the oxygen gas generated by
photosynthesis comes from.
• The buildup of hydrogen ions inside the thylakoid compartment stores potential
energy. This energy is harvested by an enzyme called ATP synthase. As hydrogen
ions diffuse through ATP synthase, down their concentration gradient, the enzyme
uses the energy of the moving ions to make ATP. Next, ATP and NADPH are used in
the sugar-making process of the Calvin cycle.
 Terms
• Potential energy: The energy stored by matter as
a result of its location or spatial arrangement
• Concentration gradient: An increase or
decrease in the density of a chemical substance
in an area. Cells often maintain concentration
gradients of ions across their membranes. When
a gradient exists, the ions or other chemical
substances involved tend to move from where
they are more concentrated to where they are less
concentrated
Activity 3.2. Read out the text
Activity 3.3: Translate the paragraph
into Vietnamese
Activity 3.4: Tell us what you think
about the two photosystems
 Game time!
• Game 1: Image game

1. Identify the
chloroplast
2. Identify the stroma

3. Identify the thylakoid

4. Which of these
phosphorylates ADP to
make ATP? (Activity 7D)

5. Chlorophyll can be
found in:
1. B and D
2. A and B
3. A and C
4. B and C
5. B and E
GAME 2: TERM TEST: Find the correct term
• 1. __________: An organelle found only in
plants and photosynthetic microorganisms
• 2. __________: The conversion of light
energy to chemical energy that is stored in
glucose or other organic compounds
• 3.__________: A flattened membrane sac
inside the chloroplast, used to convert light
energy to chemical energy
• 4.__________: A green pigment located
within the chloroplasts of plants.
• 5. _________: The second phase in
photosynthesis, after the light reactions
GAME 3: Watch the video (C.7, Act. 7E, step 1)
• 1. What is the video about?
a. How ATP and NADPH are produced in
photosynthesis
b. How sugar molecules are produced in
photosynthesis
c. How RuBP works
d. How five-carbon molecules are fixed
 • 2. According to the video, where is the
Calvin cycle carried out?
a. The grana
b. The thylakoid
c. The stroma
d. The chlorophyll
• 3. What was mentioned that has three
carbons?
• 4. In this #2 video (C.7, Act. 7E, step 2),
what are the two molecules discussed
about?

• 5. What 3 letters stand for the final product

of the Calvin cycle?
• 6. According to this #3 video (C.7, Act 7E,
steps 3-4), how many molecules of CO2
are reduced to produce 1 G3P?
3 6 5 1
• 7. According to the video, how many ATP
molecules are consumed in a Calvin
cycle?
6 9 1 3
• 8. What are regenerated in the light
reactions?
 Activity 4.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.7, Act. 7E) and look at Text for
activity 4:
• So far, energy from light has been stored in the chemical bonds of ATP and NADPH.
In the Calvin cycle, this stored energy is used to produce sugar molecules.
• The Calvin cycle is a complex series of chemical reactions carried out in the stroma.
The Calvin cycle begins with carbon fixation. Three molecules of carbon dioxide are
added to three molecules of a five-carbon sugar abbreviated RuBP. These molecules
are then rearranged to form six molecules called 3-PGA, which have three carbons
each.
• In the next two reactions, products from the light reactions are used to boost the
energy of these three-carbon molecules. First, high-energy phosphate groups are
added.
• One of the G3P molecules represents the three carbon dioxide molecules fixed so far.
The other five G3Ps are reshuffled to regenerate the original RuBP molecules. To
summarize, so far the Calvin cycle has used the energy of the light reactions to
reduce three molecules of carbon dioxide and produce one molecule of G3P.
• Three more carbon dioxide molecules are fixed to form G3P in this same complicated
way. To make each G3P, the Calvin Cycle consumes 9 ATP molecules and 6 NADPH
molecules. These are regenerated in the light reactions. G3P is the actual final
product of the Calvin cycle. The cell can combine two G3Ps to make glucose, which
stores the energy that chlorophyll originally captured from the sun.
Activity 4.2. Read out the text
Activity 4.3: Translate the paragraph
into Vietnamese
 Activity 5.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.6, Act. 6A) and look at the text:
• Organic compounds such as glucose store energy in their arrangements of atoms. These
molecules are broken down and their energy extracted in cellular respiration. The first
stage of cellular respiration occurs in the cytoplasmic fluid, while the second and third
stages occur in mitochondria. In cellular respiration, electrons are transferred from
glucose to hydrogen carriers such as NADH and FADH2. As electrons flow downhill to
oxygen, energy is released that is used to make ATP. Carbon dioxide and water are given
off as by-products.
• Glycolysis is a series of steps in which a glucose molecule is broken down into two
molecules of pyruvic acid. As the chemical bonds in glucose are broken, electrons (and
hydrogen ions) are picked up by NAD+, forming NADH. Glucose is oxidized and NAD+ is
reduced. A net output of two ATP molecules are also produced in glycolysis for every
glucose molecule processed. But most of the energy released by the breakdown of
glucose is carried by the electrons attached to NADH.
• The pyruvic acid molecules are modified as they enter the mitochondrion, releasing
carbon dioxide. The altered molecules enter a series of reactions called the Krebs cycle.
More carbon dioxide is released as the Krebs cycle completes the oxidation of glucose.
Two ATPs are formed per glucose, but most of the energy released by the oxidation of
glucose is carried by NADH and FADH2.
• Almost all of the ATP produced by cellular respiration is banked in the final phase-- the
electron transport chain and chemiosmosis. The NADH and FADH2 molecules
produced in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle donate their electrons to the electron
transport chain. At the end of the chain, oxygen exerts a strong pull on the electrons, and
combines with them and hydrogen ions to form water. The electron transport chain uses
the downhill flow of electrons to power the process of chemiosmosis, which produces
about 34 ATP molecules for each glucose molecule consumed.
 Terms
• Cellular respiration
The catabolic pathway for the production of ATP,
in which oxygen is consumed as a reactant along
with the organic fuel
• Hydrogen carrier
• ATP
• Glycolysis
The splitting of glucose into pyruvate. Glycolysis is
the one metabolic pathway that occurs in all living
cells, serving as the starting point for fermentation
or aerobic respiration
• The Krebs cycle
 Terms
• Oxidation
The loss of electrons from a substance involved in a redox
reaction
• Oxidized
• Reduction
The addition of electrons to a substance involved in a redox
reaction
• Reduced
• Mitochondrion/mitochondria
• Electron transport chain
A sequence of electron carrier molecules (membrane
proteins) that shuttle electrons during the redox reactions
that release energy used to make ATP
• Chemiosmosis
An energy-coupling mechanism that uses energy stored in
the form of a hydrogen ion gradient across a membrane to
drive cellular work, such as the synthesis of ATP. Most ATP
synthesis in cells occurs by chemiosmosis
Activity 5.2. Read out the text
 Activity 5.3: Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

Q2: In which process is glucose preliminarily broken down?

Q3: What processes occur in a mitochondrion?

Q4: Predicting from the paragraph, what is the role of

chemiosmosis?
 Activity 5.3: Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

Overview of cellular respiration
Q2: In which process is glucose preliminarily broken down?
Glycolysis
Q3: What processes occur in a mitochondrion?
Krebs cycle, electron transport chain and chemiosmosis
Q4: Predicting from the paragraph, what is the role of
chemiosmosis?
The key process to produce ATPs for the cell.
 Activity 5.4: Work in group –
Give a talk to summarize the content of
the paragraph (5’)
 Activity 6.1: Watch the video
Now watch the video (C.6, Act. 6C) and look at the text:
• The oxidation of glucose continues in the citric acid cycle. Pyruvate molecules formed
during glycolysis diffuse from the cytosol into the mitochondrion, but pyruvate itself
does not enter the citric acid cycle. A reaction occurs that removes a carbon atom,
releasing it in carbon dioxide. Electrons are transferred to an NADH molecule, storing
energy. Coenzyme A, or CoA, joins with the 2-carbon fragment, forming acetyl CoA.
• One molecule of acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle. The 2-carbon fragment of
acetyl CoA attaches to the 4-carbon molecule oxaloacetate in the first reaction of the
cycle. This forms citrate. In a series of steps, bonds break and reform. Two carbon
atoms are released, one at a time, in molecules of carbon dioxide. Electrons are
carried off by molecules of NADH and FADH2. One step produces an ATP molecule
by substrate-level phosphorylation. A 4-carbon oxaloacetate molecule is
regenerated.
• Since two acetyl CoA molecules are produced for each glucose molecule broken
down, a second acetyl CoA enters the citric acid cycle. The same series of reactions
occurs, releasing carbon dioxide and producing more NADH, FADH2, and ATP. The
cell has gained two ATPs that can be used directly. However, most of the energy
originally contained in the bonds of glucose is now carried by the NADH and FADH2
molecules.
 Terms
• Acetyl CoA (acetyl coenzyme A)
The entry compound for the Krebs cycle in cellular
respiration; formed from a fragment of pyruvate
attached to a coenzyme
• Citric acid cycle
A chemical cycle involving eight steps that completes
the metabolic breakdown of glucose molecules to
carbon dioxide; occurs within the mitochondrion; the
second major stage in cellular respiration
• Substrate-level phosphorylation
The formation of ATP by directly transferring a
phosphate group to ADP from an intermediate
substrate in catabolism
Activity 6.2. Read out the text
 Activity 6.3: Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

Q2: To what is pyruvate converted, before the citric acid

cycle?

Q3: What are the consequences of the citric acid cycle?

Q4: Which process produces more energy, glycolysis or the

Krebs cycle? Why?
 Activity 6.3: Q & A
Any questions about the text?

Q1: What is the paragraph about?

The Citric acid cycle – The Krebs cycle
Q2: To what is pyruvate converted, before the citric acid
cycle?
Acetyl CoA
Q3: What are the consequences of the citric acid cycle?
(Two) carbon atoms are released; NADH, FADH2 and ATP
molecules are formed; oxaloacetate is regenerated.
Q4: Which process produces more energy, glycolysis or the
Krebs cycle? Why?
The Krebs cycle.
Glycolysis produces only 2 ATP molecules from one glucose
molecule. In the Krebs cycle, in addition to ATPs,
energy-carriers such as NADH, FADH2 are also formed.
Activity 6.4: Give a talk to summarize
the content of the paragraph
 Writing tip: Common structure of a
scientific report
• Abstract: summary of the content
• Introduction: why you do the research
• Materials and Methods: the way you do the research
• Results and Discussion: report the results, analyse and
compare them with those of the previous studies; and
finally forward hypotheses/questions
• Conclusion (optional but strongly recommended): What
message(s) to tell from your results
• Acknowledgement: what/who supports/helps you to do
your research
• References: the documents you cited
Homework (to be submitted at the end of
the course):

Read the given article or an article you

choose by yourself and figure out:
- What is it about?
- Why did they do the research?
- How did they do the research?
- What is interesting about their results?
- What is the take-home message of the
article?
GAME 4: Image quizzes

1. What process occurs in Box

A?
a. glycolysis
b. the Citric Acid Cycle
c. electron transport
d. the Citric Acid Cycle and
electron transport

e. electron transport and

glycolysis
GAME 4: Image quizzes

2. What process occurs in Box

B?
a. glycolysis
b. the Citric Acid Cycle
c. electron transport
d. the Citric Acid Cycle and
electron transport

e. electron transport and

glycolysis
GAME 4: Image quizzes

3. What molecule is indicated by

letter D?
a. glucose
b. ATP
c. oxygen
d. Pyruvate

e. water
GAME 5: Watch the video (C. 6, Act 6D, step 1)
• 1. What do you expect the video will be
about?
a. How electrons are removed from glucose
b. How electrons are transported and ATPs are
produced
c. How chemicals cross the membrane
d. How oxygen is produced
 GAME 5: Watch the video (C. 6, Act 6D, step 2)
• 2. This #2 video is mainly about:
a. The movement of protons
b. The structure of mitochondria
c. The overall process of electron transport
d. The reduction of oxygen to produce water
• 3. What word is used to imply the transport of
protons out of the mitochondrion:
GAME 5: Watch the video (C. 6, Act 6D, step 3)
• 4. What is the name of the special protein
responsible for the production of ATP?

• 5. This mode of ATP production is called:

 GAME 5: Watch the video (C. 6, Act 6D, step 5)
• 7. What is recommended by the video?
a. Cellular respiration is complex.
b. Cellular respiration include the following main
processes: glycolysis, the Krebs cycle,
electron transport and chemiosmosis
c. Cellular respiration, ATPs are formed at a
substrate level.
• 8. According to the video, most of the cell’s
ATPs are formed:
a. At substrate-level
b. Via electron transport and chemiosmosis
c. In glycolysis
d. From oxygen
See you next time!