Introduction 1

The Details of Photosynthesis

Introduction 2

Lesson Objectives• You will be able to explain seven of the energy

transformations that occur when storing solar energy in the chemical bonds of a carbohydrate.

• You will be able to identify the purpose of both ATP and NADPH in the transfer of energy between the Light Reactions and the Calvin Cycle.

• You will be able to identify which set of reactions each reactant is needed for, and which set of reactions each product is produced in.

• You will be able to identify the purpose of oxygen in the light reactions.

• You will be able to explain the process and purpose of carbon fixation.

• You will be able to properly sequence the events that lead to the formation of: ATP, NADPH, RuBP, and the carbohydrate G3P.

Introduction 3

Review: Chloroplast Structure

The chloroplast is the site of photosynthesis. The following structure within the chloroplast are important to know:

– Stroma– Thylakoid– Thylakoid Space

Click on each word in the diagram above to learn more.

Introduction 4

Review QuestionsClick on the word that best completes the sentence or answers the question.

Where do the events of the Light Reactions Occur?A. thylakoid B.stroma

C.outer membrane D.intermembrane space

Introduction 5

Good Job

The light reactions of photosynthsis occur in the:

thylakoid

Introduction 6

Review QuestionsClick on the word that best completes the sentence or answers the question.

What is the fluid called that fills the chloroplast?A.thylakoid B. stroma

C.matrix D.cytoplasm

Introduction 7

Good Job

The fluid that fills the chloroplast is called:

stroma

Introduction 8

Review QuestionsClick on the word that best completes the sentence or answers the question.

Where do the reactions of the Calvin cycle occur?A.thylakoid space B. stroma

C.intermembrane space D.grana

Introduction 9

Good Job

The reactions of the Calvin cycle occur in the:

stroma

Introduction 10

Review: The Major Reactions

• The major reactions of photosynthesis include the light reactions and the Calvin cycle

• Energy is shuttled from the light reactions to the Calvin cycle by ATP and NADPH

Introduction 11

Review: The Light Reactions: What Goes In

• The reactants of the Light reactants are:

– Water (H2O)

– NADP+ (Low Energy)

– ADP + P (Low Energy)

• Sunlight is also

required!

Introduction 12

Review: The Light Reactions: What Comes Out

• The products of the light reactions are

– ATP, which is storing some of

the solar energy.

– NADPH, which is also storing

some of the solar energy, but

has also taken:

• electrons from the water

molecules

• Hydrogen from the water

molecules

– Oxygen gas (O2), which is all

that is left of the water after

the hydrogens and electrons

have been taken.

Introduction 13

Review: The Light Reactions All Together Now

During the light reactions:• energy from sunlight is

stored in molecules of ATP and NADPH.

• Water molecules are split. This provides a supply of hydrogen ions and electrons. Oxygen gas is left over as a waste product.

Introduction 14

Review QuestionsClick on the word that best completes the sentence or answers the question.

Where do the events of the light reactions occur?

A. thylakoid

B.stroma

C.outer membrane

D.intermembrane space

Introduction 15

The reactions of the light dependent reactions occur in the:

thylakoid

Good Job

Introduction 16

Review QuestionsClick on the word that best completes the sentence or answers the question.

The electrons being carried by NADPH were originally found in:

A. sunlight

B. ADP

C. NADP

D. H2O

Introduction 17

The electrons were supplied by molecules of:

H2O

Good Job

Introduction 18

Stroma

• The stroma is the fluid that fills the space of the chloroplast outside of the thylakoids.

• The stroma is composed of the chemicals that are involved with the Calvin Cycle, because this is where the Calvin Cycle occurs.

Introduction 19

Thylakoids

• Thylakoids are membrane bound disc shaped sacs within the chloroplast

• The reactions of the light reaction occur along the thylakoid membrane, and within the thylakoid space

Introduction 20

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