PHOTOSYNTHES

IS

A process used by photosynthetic plants and other

organisms (e.g. cyanobacteria )

Convert light energy to chemical energy.

In plants , it occurs - Chloroplast .

Light Dependent
Reaction
Photolysis
Photophosphorylation
Reduction

Light Dependent Reaction

Produces energy from solar power ( photons )

In the form of ATP and NADPH.

Occurs in the thylakoid membranes.

During light reaction , there are two possible routes for electron flow.
1. Cyclic Electron Flow
2. Non- cyclic Electron Flow

Photophosphorylation

The process of converting energy from a light -excited electron in to the

pyrophosphate bond of an ADP molecule.
1. Cyclic Photophosphorylation
2. Non cyclic Photophosphorylation

Non cyclic Electron

Flow

What Occurs in the thylakoid membrane ?

Uses PS II & PS I
PS II

P680

PS I

P700

Uses Electron Transport Chain (ETC )

Generates Oxygen, NADPH & ATP.

Process in detail

Excited electrons from P680 (PSII) and P700

(PSI) reduce primary electron acceptors X and

Y respectively.

P680 & P700 become positively charged (oxidized )

Electron donor replacement - P680 - Water

Water is split , releasing e with H and O

O is byproduct.

Electrons flow from X along a chain of electron carriers (ETC) ,losing a

little energy each time they move from one carrier to the next.

They fill positive hole in P700

The energy from this flow is coupled to ATP.

Less energized e (from Y) combine with H ion to form NADPH.

No cyclic connection .

Has a Z shape Z route

X

Chemiosmosis

Powers ATP synthesis.

Located in the thylakoid membrane.

Uses ETC and ATP synthase enzyme to make ATP.

Cyclic
Photophosphorylation

What is Cyclic
Photophosphorylation ?
This form of photophosphorylation occurs on
the thylakoid membrane. In cyclic electron
flow, the electron begins in a pigment
complex called photosystem I, passes from
the primary acceptor to several redox
reaction before returning Back to P700 or PS
I.

Process in detail

The electrons released by P700 of PS-I in the presence of

light are taken up by the primary acceptor

passes from the primary acceptor to ferredoxin, then to

cytochrome b6f (a similar complex to that found in
mitochondria), and then to plastocyanin .

Return back to photosystem I

This pathway is known as cyclic photophosphorylation, and

it produces neither O2 nor NADPH. Only ATP is produced

Difference Between Cyclic and Non

Cyclic Photophosphorylation
Cyclic Photophosphorylation

Non Cyclic Photophosphorylation

1. Only photosystem I is involved

1. Both photosystem I and II are involved

2. The active reaction center is P700

2. The active reaction center is P680

3. Electrons travels in a cyclic manner

3. Electrons travels in a non-cyclic manner

4. Electron travels back to PS I

4. Electron from PS I is accepted by NADP

5. Only ATP is produced

5. Both ATP and NADPH are produced

6. Photolysis or water splitting is absent

6. Photolysis or water splitting is present

7. Oxygen is not evolved

7. Oxygen is evolved as a by-product

8. The system is predominant in bacteria

8. The system is predominant in green plants

Photorespiration

What is Photorespiration?

It is a process in plant metabolism which attempts to reduce the

consequences of a wasteful oxygenation reaction by the enzyme
RUBISCO

Photorespiration occurs when the CO2 levels inside a leaf become low.

Under hot, dry conditions

Plants close its stomata.

So CO2 cannot reach the mesophylls cells.

Photorespiration occurs when O2 increases and CO2 decreases.

Comparison of Calvin cycle &

Photorespiration

If higher If higher
CO2
O2

CO2 +
RUBP

2PGA

O2 +
RUBP

1PGA +
1PHOSPHOGLYCOLA
TE

Photorespiratory reactions
1.In Chloroplast:

RUBP +
O2

PGA
+
PHOGLYCOLIC
ACID

 Phosphoglycolate can not metobolise inside of the

Chloroplast.
So it converts the molecule to glycolic acid.
PHOSPHOGLYCOLIC
ACID

GLYCOLIC ACID

2.Then the Phosphoglycolate enter to the Peroxisome and converted to

glycine.
GLYCOLIC

GLYCINE

ACID
3. Glycine then transport it into mitochondria &convert it to serine.
GLYCINE

SERINE

This is the key step which releases CO2, NH3 & reduces
NAD to NADH.

 Again Serine goes to the Peroxisome and

convert it to glycerate by reducing NADH to
NAD+
SERINE

GLYCERATE

Factors that increase

Photorespiration
Light
High temperature.
High level of O2 concentration.
Low CO2 concentration .

Adaptations to reduce photorespiration

C4 plants:
Different enzyme to capture CO2
(Phosphoenolpyruvate)
Light reactions and Calvin cycle occurs in two different
cells
- Light reactions and carbon fixation in mesophyll cells
- Malate moves to bundle sheath cells

 Plants are more hardy than other plants in dry conditions

where stomata are closed and O2 concentration rise.
Different leaf structure (Kranz anatomy)

CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants :

Separate carbon fixation from Calvin cycle
by the time of the day
Fix carbon during night
Perform Calvin cycle during day

Effects of Photorespiration
Good effects :
Some researchers have suggested that photorespiration
may be necessary for the assimilation of nitrate from soil.
It may protect the plant from damage caused by too much
light (Photoinhibition).
Removes toxic metabolic intermediates.
Supports Plant Defense Reactions.

Bad effects:
Photorespiration is clearly deleterious to plants.
When weather is hot and dry , plants close their stomata to prevent water
loss. As a result, CO2 level in the plant cells decrease and O2 level increase.
This results in photorespiration and it is not ideal for plants because it
release toxic compounds and fixes far less energy than photosynthesis.

 It consumes O2 and organic fuel and releases CO2

without producing ATP or sugar.
So scientists believe that it is a wasteful process.

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