Photosynthesis

Photosynthetic Equation

6H20 + 6CO2 --> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Location of Photosynthesis

Chloroplast

Reactants of Photosynthesis

6H20 + 6CO2

Products of Photosynthesis

C6H12O6 + 6O2

Photosynthetic Pigments

Chemicals that absorb light energy and use it to carry out photosynthesis. Contained in thylakoid membranes in chloroplast. Examples are chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, xanthophylls, and phycobilins.

2 Reactions of Photosynthesis

Light Dependent Reaction

Light Independent Reaction (Calvin Cycle)

Requirements for Light Dependent Reaction

Light

Water

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

Main energy source that cells use for most of their work.

Products of Light Dependent Reaction

ATP (from ADP)

NADPH (from NADP+)

6O2

Location of Light Dependent Reaction

Thylakoid Membrane (inside chloroplast)

1st Electron Transport Chain

Series of chemical reactions in the thylakoid membrane electrons are passed along with the release of energy, used to construct ATP

2nd Electron Transport Chain

High-energy electrons are passed to NADP+, creating. NADPH, a high-energy electron carrier.

NADPH

An electron carrier involved in photosynthesis. Light drives electrons from chlorophyll to NADP+, forming NADPH, which provides the high-energy electrons for the reduction of carbon dioxide to sugar in the Calvin cycle.

Photolysis

In the thylakoid membranes of a chloroplast during light-dependant reactions, two molecules of water are split to form oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons.

Calvin Cycle

The process in which carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADPH are turned into glucose, ADP, and NADP+. Also called the "Light Independent Reaction."

Photosynthetic Rate

The rate at which plants take in carbon dioxide, water, and the energy from sunlight to produce sugar.

Light Intensity vs Photosynthetic Rate

Rate of photosynthesis increases with the light intensity up to a certain amount

Carbon Dioxide Level vs Photosynthetic Rate

Increased levels will stimulate photosynthesis and then it will level off.

Temperature vs Photosynthetic Rate

Color of Light vs Photosynthetic Rate

Different pigments impact rate of photosynthesis. Generally, green light results in the lowest photosynthetic rate.