Photosynthesis

Light energy is used to make glucose

Plant and algae in the protista kingdom
This process is a reduction reaction, carbon is gaining electrons from the
hydrogen

Structure of chloroplast

Organelle enclosed by double membrane

Grana= layers of membranes called thylakoids, LIGHT DEPENDENT REACTION
Stroma= CALVIN CYCLE (light independent reaction)

Light and Photosynthetic Pigments

Plants reflect green light

Photosynthetic pigments absorb light energy
Pigments absorb light in the visible spectrum
Chlorophyll participates directly in light reactions
Accessory pigments
o Chlorophyll b
Green, absorbs all other colors
o Carotenoids
Yellow, orange, and red (carrots)
o Phycobilins
Red (algae, don't receive a lot of light)

Light- dependent and light- independent reactions

Light dependent: produce energy (ATP) and protons

o Occurs in grana, within thylakoids
In between thylakoids are light absorbing photosystems which
contain...
Chlorophyll a, accessory pigments
Chlorophyll b, carotenoids
Electron transport chains create a proton gradient
Water is broken down through photolysis into...
Electrons: replaces those lost during light dependent
reaction
Protons: pass through ATP synthase channels to the
stroma for light independent reaction
Oxygen: released into atmosphere as waste
Light Independent: make sugar (PGAL)
o Occurs in stroma, to produce sugar or PGAL
CO2, enters through leaves, combines with protons and
electrons to produce sugar

Carbon fixation= incorporation of carbon dioxide into sugar

molecules, in Calvin Cycle
Structure of the leaf

Palisade layer continues tightly packed cells containing chloroplast

Majority of photosynthesis occurs here
Cells of the spongy mesophyll layer also contain chloroplast and
carry out photosynthesis
Are not tightly packed, has air spaces for exchange of
gases
Epidermis layer does not do photosynthesis
Protects delicate underlying cells
Allows light to pass into the leaf
Cuticle made of cutin= waterproof, minimizes excessive water
loss
Guard cells= control the opening and closing of stomates
Allows exchange of gases with minimum water loss