PHOTOSYNTHESIS:

LIGHT REACTION EVENTS

For General Biology 1/ Grade 11
Quarter 2/ Week 2

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 FOREWORD

This self-learning kit (SLK) is designed to serve as an

instructional material for learners in understanding light-
dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Learners will be able to enrich their prior knowledge in

photosynthesis and realize its role in sustaining life processes.

The activities and illustrations included in this SLK will help

learners understand further the topic in an engaging manner.

This SLK is humbly dedicated to our learners who are at

the center of the learning process. We wish that this SLK will
be of great help in addressing their educational needs given
the circumstances we are facing today. Furthermore, we
hope that the content of this SLK will be fully understood and
be applied by learners in their day to day living.

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 OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, the learners shall be able to:
K: describe the patterns of electron flow through light reaction events
S: complete the electron transport chain diagram for light-dependent
reactions
A: recognize the importance of light-dependent reactions of
photosynthesis in living things

LEARNING COMPETENCY:

Describe the patterns of electron flow through light reaction events

(STEM_BIO11/12-IIa-j-4)

I. WHAT HAPPENED

Hi! How are you today?

It’s another day of learning, and I’m

so excited to discuss to you this
familiar yet interesting topic.

Join me to another meaningful

journey of learning.
So, let’s get started!

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PRE-ACTIVITY:
ACTIVITY 1

Complete Me. Identify the parts of the image to complete the

description. Write your answers in your notebook.

Photosynthesis is a process of making food in plants. Plants use

(1)________from the sun, along with (2)_____ in the soil and a gas called
(3)________ to make (4)___________. During this process, (5)_______ is
released into the air.

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II. WHAT I NEED TO KNOW

The pre-activity gives us an idea on

the concept of photosynthesis.

Can you define what photosynthesis

is? What are the stages involved in
photosynthesis?

What do you think will happen if

leaves receive no sunlight?

The first stage of photosynthesis will be

discussed today. Check whether your
answers to the questions are correct
by carefully reading and
understanding the next pages.

DISCUSSION:

Life on Earth is powered by solar energy. The process through

which light energy is converted into chemical energy stored in
sugar and other molecules is called photosynthesis. Organisms
acquire organic compounds for energy by one of the two major
modes: heterotrophic nutrition or autotrophic nutrition.
Heterotrophs are unable to make their own food, and they live on
compounds produced by other organisms (hetero means "other").
They are the biosphere's consumers. Most fungi and many types of
prokaryotes and humans are heterotrophs. On the other hand,
autotrophs are "self-feeders (auto means "self" and trophos means
"feed"). They are organisms that can produce their own food and
feed themselves without the help of any other organisms. Almost
all plants are autotrophs (producers of the biosphere). Plants are
specifically photoautotrophs, organisms that use light as a source
of energy to synthesize organic substances.

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Plant Cell Chloroplasts

Plant cells have different types of plastids that can harvest

solar energy, store nutrients, and manufacture nutrient molecules.
The most common type of plastid is the chloroplast. Chloroplasts
are responsible for the trapping of light energy in a chemical form
and contain the green pigment called chlorophyll (Figure 1). All
green parts of a plant have chloroplasts. In most plants, the leaves
are the major sites of photosynthesis. It is the light energy
absorbed by chlorophyll that drives the synthesis of organic
molecules in the chloroplast. Chloroplasts are found mainly in the
cells of the mesophyll, the tissue in the interior of the leaf. This layer
contains tiny openings called stomata where gases, carbon
dioxide and oxygen, enter and exit the leaves. Chloroplasts have
a double membrane: inner membrane and outer membrane. The
inner membrane holds a thick fluid called the stroma, where tiny
disc-shaped interconnected membranous sacs called thylakoids
are suspended. Thylakoids enclose another internal compartment
called thylakoid space. In some places, thylakoid sacs are
stacked in columns called grana (singular: granum). The green
pigment chlorophyll, which absorbs light, resides in the thylakoid
membranes. Light-absorbing molecules called photosystems are
also embedded in the thylakoid membrane.

Figure 1. Structure of a plant cell chloroplast.

Source: fig.cox.miami.edu

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Light-Dependent Reactions

The sun emits energy through electromagnetic radiation. This

electromagnetic radiation exists in various wavelengths. One type
emitted by the sun is visible light, while another type includes X-
rays and ultraviolet radiation that can be harmful. Some
organisms like green plants, algae, and cyanobacteria contain
chlorophyll a pigment which is responsible for photosynthesis.
Photosynthetic plants have a mixture of different pigments in their
leaves giving plant flexibility in absorbing energy from a wide
range of visible light wavelengths.

Photosynthesis involves two stages. The first stage is light-

dependent reaction, and the second stage is Calvin cycle (note
that only the first stage will be discussed in this learning material).

The light reactions are the steps of photosynthesis that

convert solar energy to chemical energy. The following are the
processes that occur in light-dependent reactions (Figures 2 and
3):

1. The reaction begins in a group of pigments and proteins called

photosystem. Photosystems exist in the membranes of thylakoids,
i.e., photosystem II and photosystem I in eukaryotes and some
prokaryotes. A pigment molecule in the photosystem absorbs
individual light packet called photon. As the photon of light
travels and reaches a molecule of chlorophyll in photosystem II,
the electrons become excited (Figure 2). Photosystem II transfers
the free electrons along a series of proteins called electron
transport chain.

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 Figure 2. Absorption of energy by a
chlorophyll molecule.
Source: opentextbc.ca

2. Energy from the electrons fuel membrane pumps that move

hydrogen ions against the concentration gradient from the
stroma to the thylakoid space. As the energy is used, electrons will
be accepted by another pigment molecule in photosystem I,
causing them to break away from the atom of the chlorophyll
molecule. Water is split, providing a source of electrons and
protons (hydrogen ions, H+, continues to be used in the process)
and giving off O2 as a by-product.

3. Two carrier molecules absorb more energy: adenosine

triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
phosphate (NADPH). Hydrogen ion build up in the concentration
gradient allows potential energy to be harvested and stored as
chemical energy in ATP through the transmembrane ATP
synthase. The process wherein hydrogen ions move through ATP
synthase is called chemiosmosis, i.e., ions move from an area of
higher concentration to an area of lower concentration across a
semipermeable membrane. Another function of the light-
dependent stage is the generation of another energy carrier
which is NADPH. As the electrons from the electron transport
chain reach photosystem I, these are re-excited by another
photon captured by chlorophyll. NADPH is formed from NADP+
and hydrogen ions fuelled by the energy carried by the
electrons. Now that the solar energy is stored in energy carriers, it
can be used to make a sugar molecule.

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Figure 3. Light-dependent reactions. Source: opentextbc.ca

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 ACTIVITY 2

A. Label and Connect Me. Choose from the words

inside the box to label the diagram below and draw
a line to indicate the path of electrons in the electron
transport chain. Write your answers in your notebook.

Photosystem I Cytochrome
ATP Synthase
Photosystem II

Modified from Photosynthesis Student Worksheet

www.BioInteractive.org

B. Answer Me. Answer the following questions briefly. Write

your answers in your notebook.

1. Describe the patterns of electron flow through light

reaction events.

2. Discuss the importance of light-dependent reactions of

photosynthesis in living things.

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 Rubric:
Application of the topic 5
Clarity of answer 5
TOTAL 10

III. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Great job, dear STEM students! You

have successfully accomplished the
given activities. Now, it is time to test
your knowledge on the things you have
learned today by accomplishing the
tasks below.

EVALUATION/POST-TEST:

TASK A

Modified True or False. Indicate whether the statement is True

or False. If false, change the underlined word(s) to make the
statement correct. Write your answers in your notebook.
_________1. Photosystems are clusters of chlorophyll and
proteins.
_________2. The light-dependent reactions begin when
photosystem I absorbs light.
_________3. The products of light-dependent reaction are
CO2, ATP, and NADPH.
_________4. The difference in charges across the thylakoid
membrane provides the energy to make ATP.
_________5. ATP and NADPH are two types of protein carriers.

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 TASK B

Arrange Me. Arrange the sequence of events in light-

dependent reactions in an ascending order. Write the letters
only in your notebook.

a. Two carrier molecules absorb more energy: ATP and

NADPH.
b. Photosystem II absorbs light and increases the
electrons’ energy level.
c. Electrons will be accepted by another pigment
molecule in photosystem I, causing them to break
away from the atom of the chlorophyll molecule.
d. Electrons are passed to the electron transport chain.
e. Energy from the electrons is used by proteins in the
chain to pump H+ ions from the stroma into the
thylakoid space.

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REFERENCES

Campbell, Neil A., Reece, Jane B. , Lisa A., Urry,

Cain, Michael L., Wasserman, Steven A., Minorsky,
Peter V., and Jackson, Robert B. Biology, 8th Edition.
Pearson Education, Inc.: San Francisco, 2008

Morales-Ramos AC, Ramos JD. Exploring life through

science series. Senior High School, General Biology I.
Phoenix Publishing House: Quezon City, Metro
Manila, 2017

Photosynthesis student worksheet.

www.BioInteractive.org

The process of photosynthesis. Workbook A.

Copyright by Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates.
www.esalq.usp.br

The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

opentextbc.ca

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 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF NEGROS ORIENTAL

SENEN PRISCILLO P. PAULIN, CESO V

Schools Division Superintendent

FAY C. LUAREZ, TM, Ed.D., Ph.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent
Acting CID Chief

NILITA L. RAGAY, Ed.D.

OIC - Assistant Schools Division Superintendent

ROSELA R. ABIERA
Education Program Supervisor – (LRMS)

ARNOLD R. JUNGCO
PSDS-Division Science Coordinator

MARICEL S. RASID
Librarian II (LRMDS)

ELMAR L. CABRERA
PDO II (LRMDS)

LIEZEL A. AGOR
Writer

MARY JEAN M. ARBOLADO

Illustrator

KOREN O. BALBUENA
Lay-out Artist
______________________________________________

ALPHA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
THOMAS JOGIE U. TOLEDO
LIELIN A. DE LA ZERNA
MA. OFELIA I. BUSCATO
EUFRATES G. ANSOK JR.

BETA QA TEAM
LIEZEL A. AGOR
THOMAS JOGIE TOLEDO
JUSTIN PAUL ARSENION C. KINAMOT
PETER PAUL A. PATRON
MARY JOYCEN A. ALAM-ALAM

DISCLAIMER
The information, activities and assessments used in this material are designed to provide accessible learning
modality to the teachers and learners of the Division of Negros Oriental. The contents of this module are carefully
researched, chosen, and evaluated to comply with the set learning competencies. The writers and evaluator were
clearly instructed to give credits to information and illustrations used to substantiate this material. All content is
subject to copyright and may not be reproduced in any form without expressed written consent from the division.

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 SYNOPSIS
This self-learning kit
contains discussions and activities
based on the competency
“Describe the patterns of electron
flow through light reaction events”
in General Biology 1.
Learners are expected to
understand better the processes
involved in light-dependent
reactions especially on how energy
travels along the electron transport
chain, explain how light is
converted into chemical energy,
and discuss the importance of light-
dependent reactions of
photosynthesis in living things.
Their critical thinking skills are
very useful in accomplishing the
given tasks and activities.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

LIEZEL A. AGOR is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Biology, cum
laude, at Negros Oriental State University, Main Campus I, Dumaguete
City in 2011. She was a recipient of the DOST-SEI scholarship grant under
R.A. 7687. She earned units in education in the same school through
Continuing Professional Education (CPE) program in 2016. At present,
she is a Special Science Teacher I handling Grade 11 students at Siaton
National High School and at the same time an adviser and Senior High
School Science coordinator.

ABOUT THE ILLUSTRATOR

MARY JEAN M. ARBOLADO is an alumna of Sumaliring High School, batch
2018. She took up Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM)
strand in the said school and is an NCIII holder in Bookkeeping. She is
currently enrolled as a third year student taking up Bachelor of Science in
Secondary Education Major in Social Studies at Negros Oriental State
University, Siaton Campus.

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