AP BIOLOGY EXPLORATION GUIDE: CELL METABOLISM #3

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
KEY CONCEPTS:
● Photosynthesis converts light energy to the chemical energy of food
● The light reactions convert solar energy to the chemical energy of ATP
and NADPH
● The Calvin cycle uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO 2 to sugar
● Alternative mechanisms of carbon fixation have evolved in hot, arid
climates

READ:
● Chapter 10

KEY TERMS: Here is a list of key terms and concepts you will hear about and see during the chapter
readings. Get to know them!

Photosynthesis Stroma Electromagnetic spectrum Photosystem I and II

Autotroph Thylakoids Wavelength Reaction-center complex
Hetertroph Light reactions Visible light Light-harvesting complex
Chlorphyll Calvin cycle photons Rubisco
Mesophyll NADP+ / NADPH Absorption spectrum Glyceralhehyde-3-phophate (G3P)
Stomata Photophosphorylation Action spectrum C3 and C4 plants
Guard cells Carbon fixation Carotenoids CAM plants+

EXPLORATION QUESTIONS:

The Process that Feeds the Biosphere

1. Identify where most chloroplast are located in a plant. Be specific.
a. chloroplasts occur in all green tissues , though they are concentrated particularly in
the parenchyma cells of the leaf mesophyll 2 . Analyze the structure of a chloroplast ,
identify all membranes and compartments : outer membrane , inner membrane , inner
membrane space , stroma , chlorophyll , thylakoids , grana , thylakoid lumen a. double -
membrane structure comprising an outer and an inner membrane . Each of these
membranes is a phospholipid bilayer
2. Sketch the structure of a chloroplast, listing all membranes and
compartments: outer membrane, inner membrane, inner membrane
space, stroma, chlorophyll, thylakoids, grana, thylakoid lumen
3. State what a stomata is, identify where you find them, and explain what
their role is.
tiny openings or pores in plant tissue that allow for gas exchange. Stomata are typically found in plant
leaves but can also be found in some stems.
4. How do the reactant molecules of photosynthesis reach the chloroplasts in leaves?
The reactant molecules which are water, CO2 and light reach the chloroplast in different ways: the water reaches the
leaves by the help of Xylem, the xylem in found vascular bundles which consist of Xylem and phloem; the carbon dioxide
reaches the chloroplast through tiny openings present on the epidermis of leaves called stomata which normally forms
dew after releasing water; the light energy is directly absorbed by the leaves here the sun acts as the source of light
energy which is being captured.
5. Write a summary equation for photosynthesis. Label and use arrows to indicate what is being
oxidized and what is being reduced.
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + light --> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Overview of Photosynthesis
6. Explain why photosynthesis is considered an anabolic, endergonic process.
Photosynthesis uses light energy to drive the synthesis of carbohydrates in which energy is
eventually stored . Thus , photosynthesis is considered endergonic because light energy is
absorbed and anabolic because it stores energy that used to build molecules and power
cellular activities .
7. Describe the two main stages of photosynthesis in general terms. light-dependent reactions and
the Calvin cycle (light-independent reactions)
Light reactions use solar energy to make ATP and NADPH , which supply chemical energy and reducing power to
the Calvin cycle . The Calvin cycle incorporates CO2 into organic molecules , which are converted to sugar .
Light Reactions
8. Describe the relationship between an action spectrum and
an absorption spectrum.Absorption Spectrum : measures if a
wave is being absorbed at the certain wavelength
9. What color of light is least effective in driving
photosynthesis? Explain. green light is thought to be the
least efficient for photosynthesis. If the plants are
exposed to green wavelengths during photosynthesis,
the rate of photosynthesis will be the slowest.
10. Thylakoid membranes contain two different photosystems –
photosystem I and photosystem II. Distinguish between
these two photosystems. In photosystem II, energy is absorbed by electrons, creating
high-energy electrons which are passed on to the electron transport chain but in
photosystem I the electrons are picked up by NADP to form NADPH.
11. Use Figure #1, write, in your own words, descriptive captions for each of the numbered SIX steps
in the linear flow of electrons via the photosystems. Use the following terms in your description:
photosystem II, water, oxygen, electrons, excited, electron transport chain, proton gradient,
chemiosmosis, ATP, photosystem I, NAP +, NADPH
12. In the light reactions, what is the initial electron donor? At the end of the light reactions, where
are the electrons? Water is it initial electron donor; NADP+ accepts electrons at the end of
the ETC, becoming reduced to NADPH.
13. Identify the TWO products of linear electron flow that are passed on to the Cavlin cycle.
The products of linear electron flow are NADPH and ATP
14. Why is oxygen produced during the light reactions?
The light-dependent reactions release oxygen as a byproduct as water is broken apart.
15. Compare and contrast the electron transport chains of photosynthesis to those in cellular
respiration. Provide at least one similarity and three differences.
The difference is that in photosynthesis the electrons are moving due to the energy input of light
while in cellular respiration the electrons were lent to the ETC by the NADH. Another difference is
that in photosynthesis the primary electron acceptor is NADPH and in cellular respiration it is
oxygen.

Calvin Cycle
16. Using Figure 2, write descriptive captions, in your own words, to
explain the THREE key phases of the Calvin cycle. Include the
following terms in your description: CO2, RuBP, carbon fixation, ATP,
NADPH, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P)
 17. The Calvin cycle has three stages. In stage 1, the enzyme
RuBisCO incorporates carbon dioxide into an organic
molecule. In stage 2, the organic molecule is reduced. In stage
3, RuBP, the molecule that starts the cycle, is regenerated so
that the cycle can continue.

18. Create a t-chart that describes the similarities and differences between the Calvin cycle and the
citric acid (Kreb’s) cycle.

19. Identify the following amounts:

a. In order to net ONE molecule of G3P, the Calvin cycle must go through how many
rotations and use how much CO2? it takes six turns of the Calvin cycle to make one
carbohydrate molecule (one for each carbon dioxide molecule fixed)
b. How much ATP from the light reactions is consumed in the generation of ONE G3P?
ATP from the light reactions. Unlike the light reactions, which take place in the thylakoid
membrane, the reactions of the Calvin cycle take place in the stroma
c. How much NADPH from the light reaction is consumed in the generation of ONE G3P?
12 H2O + 12 NADP+ + 18 ADP + 18 Pi + light and chlorophyll yields 6 O2 + 12 NADPH + 18
ATP.A
d. How many of every SIX G3P molecules made by the Calvin cycle will be used for
biosynthesis or the energy needs of the cell?
1
e. What happens to FIVE of every SIX G3P molecule?
they help complete the CC
f. How many G3P does it take to form ONE glucose molecule?
2
Alternative Mechanisms of Carbon Fixation
20. Describe the problems faced by C3 plants on hot dry days.
21. Describe the major consequences of photorespiration.
22. Describe how C4 plants use a photosynthetic adaptation of structure separation to help minimize
photorespiration.
23. Describe how CAM plants use a photosynthetic adaptation of temporal separation to help
minimize photorespiration.
Figure #1
Figure #2