Describe the process of the photosynthesis' light dependent reaction.

Photosynthesis is the process during which plants convert Sunlight, Carbondioxide and Water in Glucose and Oxygen. Photosynthesis happens at the plants thylakoid-membrane which are located inside the chloroplasts. There are two parts of photosynthesis reaction: light dependent reaction and light independent reaction (Calvin cycle).The process starts with the light dependent reaction which is initiated by a photon (tiny light particle) that is absorbed by a chlorophyll (called photosystem 2). The energy of the photon excites an electron (Photoexcitation). A mobile electron carrier than carries that electron to the neighboring Cytochrome complex. Because photosystem 2 is now missing an electron it splits an H2O molecule, stealing one of its electrons and thereby creating H (hydrogen ions, also called protons) and O (oxygen). Meanwhile the Cytochrome complex uses the received electron to pump a proton into the thylakoid. Because of that, proton concentration inside the thylakoid increases. This difference of proton concentration inside and outside the thylakoid causes the protons to pass through an enzyme (called ATP Snthase) in the thylakoid membrane which than produces ATP (cells chemical energy unit). At the Cytochrome the electron is transported to Photosystem 1 via another mobile electron carrier. There they get reexited by new photons (light) and are further transported to a NADP+ Reductase. This enzyme uses the energy of the received electron to create NADPH (another form of chemical energy). The created energy (ATP and NADP+) is than further used in the light independent reaction (Calvin cylce) to fixated carbon and create glucose.

Answered by Christina M. Biology tutor

4122 Views

See similar Biology A Level tutors

Related Biology A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does information from a gene make a protein?


7 Albinism is a genetic trait resulting from the inheritance of recessive alleles. (a) (i) Distinguish between the terms allele and gene. (ii) Explain the meaning of the term recessive allele.


What is functional RNA?


Explain what happens in the body when a Polio vaccine is administered.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy