Photosynthesis Lecture Notes

Parts of a Plant Cell

Two parts of plant cells that are important to photosynthesis are the __________ and
__________.

The __________ is vital for __________ between the leaf and the atmosphere.

The __________ are what make leaves appear green. The processes of
photosynthesis take place within the __________.

The __________ are where the light __________ reactions take place.

The __________ is the fluid filled space in the chloroplast, between the thylakoids. The
light __________ reactions take place here.

Check your knowledge #1

Where does photosynthesis take place?

The thylakoids are located within the stroma. (True) (False)

Where does gas exchange occur in leaves?

The Light Dependent Reaction

The light dependent reaction __________ light and occurs within the membrane of the
thylakoid.

The inputs are: ____________________

The outputs are:____________________

Step 1: Light energy breaks water apart at ____________________,

releasing energy as an electron. Oxygen and hydrogen is released.

Step 2: This electron moves down the ____________________, interacting with

proteins and enzymes along the way. One of these is known as a hydrogen pump,

which pulls
____________________ in from the stroma.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

 Step 3: The now low powered electron is excited by light photons again in PSI
(Photosystems One), becoming energetic again.

Step 4: The now energetic electron helps __________ bond with hydrogen,
becoming NADPH. The cycle begins again with water molecules being broken down by
PSII.

Step 5: The concentration gradient of hydrogen ions between the interior of the
thylakoid and the outside (the stroma) powers an enzyme called __________. The
enzyme acts as a pathway for the hydrogen ions to escape the interior of the thylakoid.
As the hydrogen moves through the enzyme, its’ energy is used to add a phosphate
onto ADP that is floating around the stroma. This extra phosphate makes it __________.

Progress Check 2

What does photosystem 1 do?

What does photosystem 2 do?

What is the point of having the hydrogen concentration gradient between the inside and
outside of the thylakoid?
Light Independent Reaction (AKA Calvin Cycle)

The light independent reactions occur in the stroma.

The inputs are: ____________________

The outputs are ____________________

The recyclable outputs are ____________________

The light independent reaction can be broken down into three cycles. __________,
__________, and __________.
 Carbon Fixation: Carbon dioxide is split into carbon and oxygen. Carbon is added to a
molecule called __________. Oxygen is released. The addition of the extra carbon turns
it into a molecule called __________. Rubisco is then split into a smaller molecule,
__________ .

Reduction: 3-PGA absorbs energy from ATP and NADPH, the outputs of the light
dependent cycle. This rearranges the molecules in 3-PGA into another molecule called
__________, which can then be used to make glucose (plant food). The ATP and NADPH
are “reduced” to ADP and NADP when they give off their chemical energy. These two
compounds can then go back and become ATP and NADPH again, by way of the light
dependent cycle (Steps 4 and 5).

Regeneration: There are always numerous G3P molecules made. Some go to make
sugar (glucose), and others are recycled and used to regenerate the 3RuBP required to
make Rubisco. Additional ATP molecules give energy to these leftover G3P molecules,
bonding them to form __________. The cycle is now ready to begin again.

Check your knowledge #3

During which of the three parts of the light independent reaction (carbon fixation, reduction,
regeneration) is 3 RuBP turned into Rubisco?

What happens to ATP and NADPH during the reduction phase of the Calvin cycle? What
happens to the 3-PGA?

What molecule is used to make glucose?

What happens during regeneration?