PHOTOSYNTHESIS, Part Un
Photosynthesis is a two step process: the light reactions and the Calvin cycle.
Photosystems A photosystem is like an antenna! A protein complex with pigments to absorb photons PSII (P680) and PSI (P700) Allows electrons to be passed along- linear electron flow http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions Photosystem II (P680) absorbs a photon of sunlight, which excites an electron. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions The electron is sent along an electron transport chain and water is split (photolysis) PSII now has an electron “hole” http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions The splitting of water releases oxygen (waste product) and hydrogen ions (protons) into the lumen (space) of the thylakoid. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions It also replaces the electron that was lost to the electron transport chain (PSII is so HUNGRY for it!!! This drives the splitting of water, which is a pretty stable molecule). http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions As the electron travels down the ETC, more protons are pumped into the lumen of the thylakoid, forming a proton gradient (chemiosmotic gradient). http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions The protons diffuse through ATP synthase, which uses the energy of the proton gradient to phosphorylate ADP ATP (photophosphorylation). http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions Another photon of light strikes Photosystem I (P700), exciting another electron. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
The Light Reactions This electron reduces NADP+, forming NADPH. NADPH is the final electron acceptor in photosynthesis. http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis
Summary of the Light Reactions NADPH ATP Oxygen (waste) Light Water
2 electron transport chains First makes ATP Second makes NADPH (no hydrogen gradient!)
Animation and Video http://highered.mheducation.com/olcweb/cgi/pluginpop.cgi?it=swf::535::535::/sites/dl/free/0072437316/120072/bio13.swf::Photosynthetic%20Electron%20Transport%20and%20ATP%20Synthesis Virtual Cell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj_WKgnL6MI