Metabolism: Photosynthesis

Lecture outline: Photosynthesis --light reactions --synthetic reactions

Learning outcomes: Sequencing energy transformations Linking light energy to electrical energy to chemical energy Recognize why photosynthesis is not the reverse of cellular respiration

low potential energy glucose high potential energy

High potential energy oxidation

low potential energy

C-H

O-H

low potential energy glucose high potential energy

High potential energy reduction C-H Photosynthesis: a whole lot tougher for the cell

low potential energy

O-H

1. carbons (source: CO2) 2. Electrons (H ) to make bonds (source: water H2O) 3. Energy (source: sunlight)

"light reactions" = energy (sunlight

ATP and electrons/reducing power

source of low potential energy electrons

source of high potential energy electrons

synthesis reactions"

(occurs in light and dark)

disordered

ordered

Visible
(photons)

grana

thylakoid membranes

light excites electrons to outer orbitals of atoms

high potential energy

low potential energy

One electron transport chain is used to provide electrons to make reducing power =NADPH

Electron transport chains grab excited electrons before they fall back to original orbital.

electron "hole"

The first electron hole is filled with electrons excited from a 2nd photosystem using 2nd electron transport chain (chain just like mitochondrial chain).

chain 1 chain 2 NAD+

ox

NADPH ATP
red

electron "hole" filled here

Electron transport chain 2 works the same way as in the mitochondrion: electrochemical gradients and ATP formation

The route of electrons: H20 to NADPH (and then into sugars)

NAD+
oxidized

ATP NADPH
reduced

synthesis reactions"

(occurs in light and dark)

The Calvin cycle

CO2 made in respiration now added to carbons in Calvin cycle

Melvin Calvin 1961 Nobel Prize

The Calvin cycle

electrons, originally in water, but now in NADPH = reducing power, create sugar.

The Calvin cycle: in the chloroplast stroma

rest of ATP scrambles remaining carbons to receive more CO2

A review of photosynthesis

Photosynthesis: trace atoms from reactants to products, as we did for respiration

energy

+G

electrons H

You do this trace for the easier pathway: glycolysis + cellular respiration

Someone in the audience yells out: "It all sounds the same!"

Neil Young responds: "Its all one song!" Neil Young

Real quotes from the CD "Year of the Horse" 1997

High potential energy

Low potential energy

C-H

O-H

Be certain you can explain what makes a bond (and participating electrons) high or low potential energy. Lecture 2 should provide assistance.