PHOTOSYNTHESIS

• Autotrophic Process: Plants and plant-like organisms

make their energy (glucose) from sunlight.
• Stored as carbohydrate in their bodies.
• 6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight  C6H12O6 + 6O2
Catalyst:
1. Write the chemical equation
of Photosynthesis in words.
2. What physical signs can you
see in plants that indicates the
use of glucose?
Why is Photosynthesis important?

Makes organic molecules (glucose) out

of inorganic materials (carbon dioxide
and water).
It begins all food chains/webs. Thus
all life is supported by this process.
It also makes oxygen gas!!
Photosynthesis-starts ecological food webs!
Chloroplast Pigments
• Chloroplasts contain several pigments
– Chlorophyll a
– Chlorophyll b
– Carotenoids
– Xanthophyll

Figure 7.7
Visible light is only
a small part of the
electromagnetic
spectrum (all forms
of light).
• LIGHT behaves as if it were composed of
"units" or "packets" of energy that travel in
waves. These packets are photons.
• The wavelength of light determines its color.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• 2 Phases
• Light-dependent reaction
• Light-independent reaction

• .
 AN OVERVIEW OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• The light reactions
Light
convert solar energy Chloroplast
to chemical energy
• Produce ATP & NADPH NADP
ADP
+P
Calvin
• The Calvin cycle makes Light
reactions
cycle

sugar from carbon dioxide

– ATP generated by the light
reactions provides the energy for
sugar synthesis
– The NADPH produced by the
light reactions provides the
electrons for the reduction of
carbon dioxide to glucose
Steps of Photosynthesis
Step 1. Light Reaction
• Light hits reaction centers of chlorophyll,
found in chloroplasts
• Chlorophyll vibrates and causes water to
break apart( Photolysis)
• Oxygen is released into air
• Hydrogen remains in chloroplast attached
to NADP to form NADPH
How the Light Reactions Generate ATP and NADPH
Primary NADP
electron
acceptor
Energy
Primary to make 3
electron
acceptor 2

Light
Ele
ctr
on
tr a
nsp
o rt c
Light hai
n

Primary
electron
acceptor

Reaction-
1 center NADPH-producing
chlorophyll photosystem

Water-splitting
photosystem
2 H + 1/2
• Two types of
photosystems
cooperate in the light
reactions

Photon
ATP
mill
Photon

Water-splitting NADPH-producing
photosystem photosystem
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Light-dependent reaction (LIGHT Reaction)
• Energy lost along electron transport chain
• Lost energy used to recharge ATP from ADP

• NADPH produced from e- transport chain

• Stores energy until transfer to stroma
• Plays important role in light-independent reaction
• Total byproducts: ATP, NADP, O2
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• How did we get O2 as a byproduct?!
• Photolysis: replaces lost electrons by splitting
water
Catalyst:

• Briefly explain how ATP and NADPH is

formed at the end of the light rxn.
 PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Light-independent reaction (Dark
Reaction)/Calvin Cycle
• Does not require light
• Occurs in stroma of chloroplast
• Requires CO2
• Uses ATP and NADPH ( from Light reaction) as fuel to
run
• Makes glucose sugar from CO2 and Hydrogen
Catalyst
• In what 4 ways is the light independent
reaction different from the light reaction?
• (Note: think about reactant/s, site of
occurrence, products, source of energy)
(and other organic molecules
Summary—Light Dependent
Reactions

a. Overall input
light energy, H2O.
b. Overall output
ATP, NADPH, O2.
Summary—Light Independent
Reactions

a. Overall input
CO2, ATP, NADPH.
b. Overall output
glucose.
CHEMOSYNTHESIS
• The process by which bacteria uses energy
from inorganic substances are used to
make sugars
 Check it!
1. The process that uses the sun’s energy to
make simple sugars is _____________.

A. Cellular respiration
B. Glycolysis
C. Photosynthesis
D. Photolysis
 Check it!
2. The function accomplished by the light-
dependent reactions is ______________.

A. Energy storage
B. Sugar production
C. Carbon fixation
D. Conversion of sugar