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Biochemistry of Photosynthesis

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Biochemistry of Photosynthesis
Biochemistry of Photosynthesis

Overall Word Equation:

Water+ Carbon Dioxide( Carbohydrates+ Oxygen ((: light + chlorophyll)

1. Light Dependent Stage/ photochemical reaction/ light reactions:

Word Equation:

Water ( Hydrogen ions + Oxygen ((: light + chlorophyll)

Site: On the Thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast

Major events:

• Light absorption

o Chlorophyll in the thylakoids absorbs light. The energy absorbed is used for photolysis (splitting of water molecules).

• Photolysis of water (Photodissociation)

o The light energy absorbed split H2O molecules into H+ ions and O2

▪ 2H2O(4H+ +4e- + O2

▪ O2 is released as a gas to the atmosphere (as a by-product)

▪ H+ ions is accepted by NADP to form NADPH2

• NADPH2 acts as a reducing agent by donating H+ ions in Calvin Cycle.

• Generation of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

o The light energy absorbed is used to form ATP (photophosphorylation)

o In this way, light energy is converted to chemical energy stored in ATP

▪ Used to drive the reactions in Calvin Cycle

Products formed in this stage:

• Photolysis of water molecules to give H+ ions and O2

• ATP molecules: as energy source for subsequent synthesis of carbohydrates in light dependent reactions.

The flow of electrons in Photosynthesis

[pic]

Photosystem: Consists of chlorophyll molecules & accessory pigments e.g. carotenoid accessory pigments trap light energy and pass to the chlorophyll.

Results of chromatography:

2. Light independent stage/ carbon fixation/ dark reactions

Word Equation:

Carbon dioxide + Hydrogen ions ( Carbohydrates + Water ((enzymes)

• Site: In the stroma of chloroplast with the presence of enzymes for dark reactions

• Requires the products of light dependent stage (ATP, NADPH2), takes place whether or not light is present.

• Details of this stage was analysed by Melvin Calvin and his co-workers and the process is called the Calvin Cycle.

[pic]

Major events occurring in Calvin Cycle:

1. Carbon dioxide fixation and formation of 3-C compound

2. Reduction of 3-C compound and formation of TP (Triose Phosphate)

3. Regeneration of carbon acceptor

[pic]

Pi: Inorganic phosphate (PO3)

Role/ functions of the different substances in photosynthesis

1. Photolysis:

• H2O molecules (2H2O(4H+ +4e- + O2(g)

• H+ : Taken up by NADP to form NADPH2

• e- : Captured by the excited chlorophyll molecules to fill up their positively charged holes

• O2: Released as a by-product

2. 5C-compound (ribulose bisphosphate) at the beginning of the Calvin cycle

• Acts as a carbon dioxide acceptor

3. Triose phosphate (TP) in carbon fixation

• Some of the triose phosphate are used to regenerate the 5-C compound (RuBP)

• Some act as the raw material for the production of glucose and other carbohydrates.

4. ATP ( Supplies energy for

o Reduction of a 3-C compound into 6-C sugar (glucose)

o Conversion of triose phosphate into ADP

5. NADP

• Act as the hydrogen acceptor. It takes up H+ ions from photolysis of water and e- from electron transport system to form NADPH2 which is an importance reducing agent used in carbon fixation

6. CO2

• Essential raw material for the synthesis of carbohydrates in carbon fixation

7. 1st stable product of photosynthesis: PGA (a 3-C compound)

8. 1st carbohydrates formed: Triose phosphate

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