LESSON 3
Photosynthesis
Learning Objectives
1. Define photosynthesis.
2. Identify the stages of photosynthesis.
What is the importance of photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
Imagine Earth as a giant factory, with photosynthesis as its most important
production line. Photosynthesis acts as the factory's powerhouse, supplying over 99%
of the energy needed by all living things. Just like in a factory, photosynthesis
converts raw materials into valuable products for the consumers.
Photosynthesis has many chemical reactions, but it can be summed up in a
single chemical formula:
6CO₂ +6H₂O light, CH12O6 +602 carbon dioxide water glucose oxygen
Photosynthesis occurs in two stages. Stage I includes the light-dependent
reactions and stage II includes the light-independent reactions. Light-dependent
reactions directly use light energy to produce ATP and nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH), another energy-carrying molecule that power the
light-independent reactions. During this stage, oxygen is also released as a by-
product. In the light- independent reaction, also called Calvin cycle, the ATP and
NADPH from light reactions are used to create glucose. However, the reactions do not
stop with glucose. The end product glucose and other simple sugars are bonded
together to form starch, sucrose, fructose, and other carbohydrates. These
carbohydrates are considered as the true end products of photosynthesis.
Stage I: Light-Dependent Reactions
The following is a breakdown of the processes that occur during the light- dependent
reactions. Light reactions take place in the thylakoid and occur in several steps, as
shown in figure 6-4.
Figure 6-4. The light-dependent reactions in the thylakoid membrane (See Appendix F
on page 283 for an enlarged version of the image.)
1. Light reactions in the thylakoid
When units of light called photons strike a molecule of chlorophyll in PS II, the
light is absorbed by two electrons (2e) in the chlorophyll, which gives them enough
energy to leave the molecule. At the same time, water (H₂O) splits apart and produces
the following:
Two electrons, which replace the electron loss of chlorophyll in PS II during light
absorption
Two hydrogen ions (2H+), which are positively charged and are released inside
the interior space of the thylakoid membrane
One oxygen (O) atom that combines with another oxygen atom, producing one
oxygen molecule (O2), which is released into the atmosphere as a by- product
2. Electron transport chain (ETC)
The excited electrons from PS II go on a journey through the electron transport
chain.
Along the way, their energy is used to pump even more hydrogen ions into the
thylakoid.
This creates a build-up of positive charge and forms a gradient.
3. ATP production
The build-up of hydrogen ions creates energy, like a waterfall waiting to power a
turbine.
ATP synthase acts like that turbine, letting the hydrogen ions flow through,
producing ATP, the plant's energy currency.
This ATP is crucial for the next stage, the Calvin cycle.
4. Photosystem I (PS I)
The electrons, now calm, reach PS I.
Here, they get a boost of energy from more sunlight and are passed to a
primary acceptor.
5. NADPH production
Meanwhile, another important molecule, NADP, picks up hydrogen ions from the
H2O in PS II.
This creates NADPH, which carries the hydrogen atoms to the light- independent
reactions, where they help make glucose.
In summary, light reactions in the thylakoid harness sunlight to split water, create
energy (ATP), and produce molecules (NADPH) that are vital for making glucose in the
Calvin cycle. It's like the plant's power station working hard to create its own energy
and food.
Stage II: Light-Independent Reactions
The second stage of photosynthesis, called Calvin cycle, happens in the stroma
surrounding the thylakoids in the chloroplast. The reactions in this stage occur without
the direct use of energy from light; hence, they are often called dark reactions. The
discovery of this reaction by scientist Melvin Calvin won him a Nobel Prize in 1961. In
this cycle, chemical energy NADPH and ATP from the light reactions are used to create
glucose.
The Calvin cycle is like a factory inside plants that take in carbon dioxide (CO2)
from the air and turns it into an energy-rich sugar (glucose). This cycle consists of
three main steps: carbon fixation, reduction reactions, and regeneration.
Figure 6-5. The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis are divided into three
major steps: carbon fixation, reduction reactions, and regeneration of RuBP. (See
Appendix F on page 284 for an enlarged version of the image.)
1. Carbon fixation - Carbon fixation occurs when carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the
atmosphere combines with a simple five-carbon (5-C) sugar compound, ribulose
biphosphate (RuBP), forming an unstable six-carbon (6-C) molecule. The 6-C molecule
is immediately broken down into two three-carbon (3-C) sugar phosphate known as 3-
phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
2. Reduction reactions The 3-PGA molecules gain energy from the ATP and NADPH
from the light reactions, and rearrange themselves to form glycerate 3-phosphate
(G3P). This molecule also contains three carbon atoms but is more stable than 3-PGA.
A single G3P molecule goes on to form into glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (PGAL), the
three-carbon (3-C) carbohydrate precursor of glucose and other sugars. The rest of
the G3P proceed to regeneration step.
It is important to note that some of the G3P molecules generated in the
reduction reactions are used to synthesize glucose, which can be used as an energy
source for the cell or converted into more complex organic molecules.
3. Regeneration of RuBP The remaining G3P molecules then use more ATP to revert
back to RuBP, completing the cycle. Converting the G3P molecules to the RuBP allows
the cycle to repeat.
MINI TEST 6-2
1. What are chloroplasts? What are their role in photosynthesis?
2. Plants release oxygen during the day but not during the night. Explain why.