PHOTOSYNTHESIS

WHY IS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS SO
IMPORTANT?
PHOTOSYNTHESIS is one of the
most important biological process
on earth!
• Provides the oxygen we breathe
• Consumes much of the CO2
• Food
• Energy
• Fibers and materials
 Question:

Where does
photosynthesis
take place?

3
 Chloroplast
Organelle where photosynthesis
takes place.

Stroma
Outer Membrane Thylakoid Granum
Inner Membrane

Thylakoid stacks are connected together 4

AN OVERVIEW OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• Photosynthesis is the process by which
autotrophic organisms use light energy to
make sugar and oxygen gas from carbon
dioxide and water.

Carbon Water Glucose Oxygen

dioxide gas
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Types of
Photosynthesis

6
Two reactions make up
photosynthesis:

1.Light Reaction or Light Dependent

Reaction -
Produces energy from solar power
(photons) in the form of ATP and
NADPH.
SUN

7
 Steps of Light Reaction
• Light hits reaction centers of
chlorophyll, found in chloroplasts

• Chlorophyll vibrates and causes

water to break apart.

• Oxygen is released into air

• Hydrogen remains in chloroplast
attached to NADPH
• “THE LIGHT REACTION”
Summary—Light Dependent
Reactions

a. Overall input
light energy, H2O

b. Overall output
ATP, NADPH, O2
2. Calvin Cycle or Light
Independent Reaction
• Also called Carbon
Fixation or C3 Fixation
• Uses energy (ATP and
NADPH) from light
reaction to make sugar
(glucose).
10
Summary—Light Independent
Reactions

a. Overall input
CO2, ATP, NADPH

b. Overall output
glucose
 Steps of Dark Reaction

• The DARK Reactions= Calvin Cycle

• CO2 from atmosphere is joined to H

from water molecules (NADPH) to
form glucose

• Glucose can be converted into other

molecules with yummy flavors!
Review: Photosynthesis uses
energy to make food
molecules
Chloroplast

Light

Photosystem II
Electron
transport CALVIN
chains CYCLE Stroma
Photosystem I

Cellular
respiration
Cellulose
Starch
Other
LIGHT REACTIONS CALVIN CYCLE organic
compounds