Topic: Photosynthesis

Key Concepts:

 Definition and Importance

 Process Overview
 Chloroplasts and Chlorophyll
 Light-Dependent Reactions
 Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

Definition and Importance:

 Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants and some other organisms use
sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.
 It converts solar energy into chemical energy, producing oxygen as a by-product.

Process Overview:

 Occurs in chloroplasts within plant cells.

 Consists of two main stages: Light-dependent reactions and Light-independent
reactions (Calvin Cycle).

Chloroplasts and Chlorophyll:

 Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plant cells.

 Chlorophyll is the green pigment that captures light energy.

Light-Dependent Reactions:

 Occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

 Require light to produce ATP and NADPH.
 Water is split, releasing oxygen.

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle):

 Occur in the stroma of chloroplasts.

 Use ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.
 Do not require light directly but depend on the products of the light-dependent
reactions.

Chemical Equation for Photosynthesis:

6CO2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O26CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \ energy \rightarrow

C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_26CO2+6H2O+light energy→C6H12O6+6O2