Cyclic Electron Flow

There is an alternate pathway for electrons arising from P700, the reaction center of photosystem
I. the high-potential electron in bound ferredoxin can be transferred to cytochrome b563 rather
than to NADP+ . this electron then flow back to the oxidized form of P700 through cytochrome
c563 and plastocyanin. In other words, there is a cyclic flow of electron. ATP is generated as
electrons return to the reaction center via cytochrome b563 plastocyanin. Hence, this process is
called cyclic photophosphorylation. In this mode, ATP is generated without the concomitant
formation of NADPH. Photosystem II does not participate in cyclic photophosphorylation, and
so O2 is not formed from H2O during this process. Cyclic photophosphorylation is operative
when there is insufficient NADP+ to accept electrons from reduced ferredoxin. This condition
exists when the ratio of NADPH to NADP+ is high.