This assignment, titled 'Photosynthesis in Plants', learning aim C 'Explore the factors that can affect the pathways and the rate
of photosynthesis in plants' Is a distinction-level assignment, with all the criteria met. I hope this assignment provides as a guide for your assignment, and you're ab...
Unit 10: Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
C: Explore the factors that can affect the pathways and the rate
of photosynthesis in plants
Assignment title: Photosynthesis in Plants
,Pathways into Photosynthsis
C.P5 Explain the stages involved in photosynthesis in plants.
Photosynthesis transforms solar energy into chemical energy, creating large organic molecules
from inorganic substances and releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. We depend on this
process for our survival, as we consume plants and products derived from them, as well as
animals that have fed on plants.
Choloplast
Chloroplasts, which vary in size and shape, play
a crucial role in photosynthesis. These structures,
typically 2-10 µm in length, have a double
membrane that surrounds sac-like structures,
called thylakoids, containing pigments called
chlorophyll. The outer membrane allows small
ions to pass through, while the inner membrane
restricts permeability by housing transport
proteins that control molecule entry and exit. The
space between the two membranes measures
approximately 10-20 nm.
- The inner membrane folds into structures called lamellae, which stack in formations
known as grana (singular: granum). Interspersed between the grana are the intergranal
lamellae. The inner membrane's chloroplast protein carriers regulate substance
exchange between the cell's cytoplasm and the stroma within the chloroplasts.
- Chloroplasts feature two distinct regions: the grana and the stroma. The former is
composed of stacked thylakoid membranes that absorb light and synthesize ATP during
light-dependent reactions. The stroma, a fluid-filled matrix, houses enzymes required for
light-independent reactions, as well as starch and oil grains, DNA, and ribosomes.
- The thylakoid membranes offer an expansive surface area to accommodate
photosynthetic pigments, electron carriers, and ATP synthase enzymes necessary for
light-dependent reactions. Pigments are organized into photosystems for optimal light
energy absorption. Proteins embedded within the grana support the photosystems.
- Stroma contains the necessary enzymes to catalyze light-independent reactions and
encircles the grana. This allows products from light-dependent reactions to quickly
transition into the stroma for use in light-independent reactions. Furthermore,
chloroplasts are capable of synthesizing proteins for photosynthesis using their own
DNA and ribosomes.
Photosynthetic pigments are substances
capable of absorbing specific light
wavelengths while reflecting others, appearing
as the color of the reflected light wavelength.
These pigments work together to capture a
wide range of light wavelengths.
These pigments are organized in
photosystems, which are funnel-shaped
structures within the thylakoid membrane,
anchored by proteins.
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