Academic Biology Notes Photosynthesis Academic Biology Notes

Photosynthesis

Overview of Photosynthesis

Light Dependent Reactions Electron transport chain Chlorophyll Chlorophyll PS I PS II

Light Dependent Steps Light Hits Photosystem II and excites an electron . The electron came from the splitting of water…oxygen is released. The excited electron jumps to a higher energy level and produces ATP. The electron falls into Photosystem I, gets excited again, jumps to a higher energy level and produces NADPH

Calvin Cycle RuBP PGA PGAL

Calvin Cycle Carbon from the atmosphere enters and joins with RuBP ( a 5 carbon compound) This creates an unstable 6 carbon molecule that immediately splits into 2 – 3 carbon molecules called PGA. ATP donates phosphate and energy NADPH donates H+ and e- This turns PGA into PGAL 2 PGAL’s join to form Glucose Other PGAL’s regenerate (with the help of ATP) more RUBP