Lesson 16.

Photosynthesis
 explain how
photosynthetic organisms
use light energy to
Objectives
1 combine carbon dioxide
At the end and water to form energy-
of this rich compounds; and
lesson, you
should be
able to: explain how cells carry
2 out functions required for
life.
Photosynthesis is the process where organisms
convert light energy to form sugar.
 Learn about it!

Photosynthesis
● Plants capture light energy
through the aid of the
chloroplasts.

● The chloroplast is a
membrane-bound organelle
that contains structures that
promote the biochemical
processes of photosynthesis. Chloroplast
 Learn about it!

Photosynthesis: The Light-Dependent Reaction

● Photosynthesis has two phases: the light-dependent
reaction and the light-independent reaction.

● The light-dependent reaction occurs in the thylakoid

membrane of the chloroplast. The energy from light is
captured in the chlorophyll and is used to make adenosine
triphosphate (ATP).
 Learn about it!

Steps of the Light-Dependent Reaction

● Light absorption in
photosystem II –
photolysis occurs

● Production of ATP – This

process of making ATP
molecules involving light
energy is called The light-dependent reaction
photophosphorylation.
 Learn about it!

Steps of the Light-Dependent Reaction

● Light absorption in
photosystem I – the
chlorophyll and the
electron get re
energized.

● Production of NADPH
by reenergizing The light-dependent reaction
electrons
 Learn about it!

Photosynthesis: The Light-Independent Reaction

● The light-independent reaction is also known as the Calvin
cycle.

● It takes place in the stroma and uses ATP and NADPH,

which are the products of the light-dependent reaction. It
reduces carbon dioxide (CO2) to form sugar.
 Learn about it!

Steps of the Light-

Independent Reaction
● Fixation of CO2

● Reduction of 3-
phosphoglycerate

● Regeneration of RuBP from

G3P
The light-independent reaction
 Learn about it!

Importance of Photosynthesis
● Normally, solar energy from by the sun is unusable for
consumption by organisms.

● It is the process photosynthesis that allows the

conversion of solar energy into chemical energy in the
form of glucose.
Key Points

The two main steps of photosynthesis are the light-

1 dependent and the light-independent reaction.

The light-dependent reaction occurs in the thylakoid

2 membrane of the chloroplast. It begins when solar
energy strikes the photosystems inside.

The light-independent reaction uses the products of

3 the light-dependent reaction so its own steps can
begin.
 Check Your Understanding

Identify if the statements are true or false.

1. Plants are heterotrophs.
2. The light-independent reaction cannot happen with sunlight.
3. The light-dependent reaction happens in the thylakoid.
4. The final products of the light-dependent reaction are ATP and
NADPH.
5. RuBP in the light-independent reaction is completely used up
and destroyed.
 Challenge Yourself

Why does the light-dependent reaction need

sunlight?
 Bibliography
Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn. 2007. Photosynthesis, (Minneapolis:
Twenty-First Century Books).

Biology Corner. Exploring the Rate of Photosynthesis.

https://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/photosynthesis_rate.html

Eldra Solomon et al. 2014. Biology, (New Jersey: Cengage Learning)

Eva Carswell and Ananda Weeraruriya. 2010. Investigating

Gareth Williams. 2000. Advanced Biology for You, (United Kingdom: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.).

Martin Rowland. 1992. Biology, (United Kingdom: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.).

Mateo Zeske. 2017. Photosynthesis Activities

for Middle School. https://sciencing.com/photosynthesis-activities-middle-school-5267691.html
 Bibliography
Nick Paul. 2002. Biology, (United Kingdom: Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd.).

Peter Russell, Paul Hertz, and Beverly McMillan. 2013. Biology: The Dynamic Science, Vol.1 (Units 1 and
2), (Boston: Cengage Learning).

Peter Raven, Linda Berg, and David Hassenzahl. 2012. Environment, (New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons).

Photosynthesis Through Kinesthetics. Westside High School, Macon GA and Mercer University School of
Medicine. http://skbiology.pbworks.com/f/2b-KinesteticsWTemplates.pdf

P.S. Verma and B.P. Pandey. 2010. S. Chand’s Biology For Class XI, (New Delhi: S. Chand Publishing).

Randy Wayne. 2009. Plant Cell Biology: From Astronomy to Zoology, (Cambridge: Academic Press).

Sandra Alters. 2000. Biology: Understanding Life, (Burlington: Jones & Bartlett Learning)