Summary
Summary The Processes of Photosynthesis - An Insight on the Calvin Cycle
- Course
- Institution
- Book
A summary and study guide on the processes of Photosynthesis and the Calvin Cycle
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
DNA Replication - Explanation and Study Guide (Grade 12 Biology)
-
Cellular Respiration Study Guide
-
Biology Grade 12 - Unit 10 - Chapter 10 Notes
Seller
Follow
thekrakenmid
Reviews received
Content preview
PhotosynthesisPhotosynthesis is a complex process that involves the conversion of radiant energy
from the sun into chemical energy in the form of glucose. It consists of two sets of
reactions: light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions.
During the light-dependent reactions, solar energy is captured and used to generate
ATP and NADPH. The process begins with the absorption of photons by pigments,
primarily chlorophylls, which are located in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. The
absorbed energy excites electrons in the chlorophyll molecules, initiating a chain of
events.
The excited electrons are transferred to a primary electron acceptor via redox reactions.
This sets off an electron transport system, where the electrons pass through a series of
membrane-bound carriers. As the electrons are transferred, protons are pumped across
the thylakoid membrane, creating a proton gradient.
The generated proton gradient is then used to drive chemiosmosis, a process in which
protons flow through ATP synthase, leading to the synthesis of ATP from ADP and
inorganic phosphate. At the end of the light-dependent reactions, NADP+ molecules are
reduced to NADPH by accepting electrons, which are provided by the splitting of water
molecules in a process called photolysis. Oxygen gas is released as a byproduct of this
reaction.
The Calvin Cycle
The light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, occur in the stroma of
chloroplasts. They utilize the ATP and NADPH generated in the light-dependent
reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose. The Calvin cycle consists of three
main stages: carbon fixation, reduction, and regeneration.
Carbon Fixation
During carbon fixation, carbon dioxide molecules are combined with a five-carbon
compound called ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) to form an unstable six-carbon
molecule. This molecule immediately breaks down into two molecules of
3-phosphoglycerate (PGA).
In the reduction stage, ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions are used to
convert PGA into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P), a three-carbon molecule. Some
G3P molecules leave the cycle to form glucose or other organic compounds, while
others remain to regenerate RuBP.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller thekrakenmid. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $7.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
62890 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now