PHOTOSYNTH

ESIS
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light
energy into chemical energy. It occurs within the chloroplast, an
organelle in the plant cell. It is where the carbon dioxide and
water react in the presence of light and chlorophyll to form sugar
and oxygen. Green plants, blue-green algae, and some bacteria
are photosynthetic organisms.

Photosynthesis is divided into two phases: light-dependent

reaction phase and light-independent reaction phase. The
light-dependent reaction takes place in the thylakoids of the
chloroplast, while the light independent reaction occurs in the
stroma of chloroplast.
A chloroplast is a double membrane
bound organelle. It has outer and inner
membranes. Inside the chloroplasts
are thylakoids, which are stacks of
circular shaped membrane filled with
chlorophyll and enzymes where light
reaction takes place. The stack of
thylakoids is called granum. There is
also an aqueous space in the
chloroplast, which is known as the
stroma.
Light-Dependent Reactions
The light-dependent reaction utilizes light energy from the sun to
yield chemical energy. It is the first phase in photosynthesis. In
this phase, light energy is converted into adenosine triphosphate
(ATP), the molecule used to store chemical energy in cells. The
light-dependent reaction can be cyclic or noncyclic
Noncyclic Photophosphorylation
Cyclic Photophosphorylation
Light-Independent Reaction (Calvin cycle)
The light-independent reaction, the second phase of
photosynthesis, takes place in the stroma of the
chloroplasts. In this phase, the ATP and NADPH
produced in the light dependent reaction re used to
convert CO₂ into sugar, such as glucose, as the final
product. It is divided into three phases, carbon
fixation, reduction, and regeneration of ribulose 1,5-
biphosphate (RuBP).
 C4 Pathway
Examples of C4 plants are corn, sugarcane, and sorghum. Because
RuBP can employ photorespiration, it should not be used by C4 plants.
An alternative is the phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). Unlike RuBP, PEP is
specific to carbon dioxide only. So, it will never bind to oxygen. Once the
PEP combines with carbon dioxide, it forms a four-carbon molecule called
oxaloacetate. Then the oxaloacetate is converted to malate. Malate
diffuses out from the mesophyll to the bundle sheath cells. It will then split
into pyruvate and carbon dioxide. RuBP, found in the bundle sheath
cells, combine with the carbon dioxide and continue on with the Calvin
cycle. The sugar produced in the Calvin cycle will diffuse to the vascular
bundle and can be transported to all parts of the plant. On the other hand,
the pyruvate in bundle sheath cells will be converted back to PEP with the
help of ATP.
Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)
Succulents and other plants that thrive in hot environments have
an alternative carbon fixation pathway. These plants shut their
stomata during the day to prevent water loss. Their stomata only
open during night time. However, this adaptation limits how they
can photosynthesize because it is during the day that light is
available. The solution to this problem is the CAM pathway.
Examples of CAM plants are agave, pineapple, orchid, and
cactus.