Photosynthesis Notes - COMPLETE
Photosynthesis Notes - COMPLETE
Photosynthesis Notes - COMPLETE
Intro to Photosynthesis
The overall balanced equation/reaction/summary:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O + Energy → C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Carbon dioxide + Water + Solar Energy → Glucose (sugar) + oxygen
Takes place within the CHLOROPLASTS of plants and other photosynthetic organisms (photoautotrophs).
All photosynthetic organisms will use chlorophyll a as the primary light absorbing
pigment.
The full range of wavelengths of light emitted from the sun is known as the
electromagnetic spectrum.
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Light travels in bundles of energy called photons. The energy from photons is used to initiate photosynthesis
(when they get absorbed by photosynthetic pigments like chlorophyll).
Photosynthetic pigments absorb light. Each pigment can absorb light (photons) within a specific range of
wavelengths. Wavelengths that are not absorbed are either transmitted or reflected.
This determines what colour we see!
Absorption Spectrum
Accessory Pigments
These pigments reflect other colours of light and are what we see when chlorophyll becomes less abundant
(such as in autumn)
Photosynthesis produces oxygen. Production of oxygen is used to measure the rate (or effectiveness) of
photosynthesis. Photosynthetic activity (oxygen output) is measured for plants under each specific wavelength.
Plotted on a graph: Action Spectrum.
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Because they are REFLECTING green light. The light-absorbing molecules (such as chlorophyll) absorb all
colours EXCEPT green, which gets reflected and is the colour we see.
4. a) Explain the purpose of the waxy cuticle that coats the leaf surface.
To prevent excess and unnecessary water loss. Water retention (for use as a reactant of photosynthesis).
6. Describe, with labels, the conditions that cause the stoma to be open and closed.
Opening: Cells actively transport K+ & H+ ions into the cell and
water then diffuses in (via osmosis) to balance the solution. This
causes the cells to swell/become firm/turgid and a gap/opening
(the stoma) forms between them.
Closing: K+/H+ is moved out of the cell; water follows and the
cells become limp/flaccid which closes the gap between them.
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Photosynthesis: The Light-Dependent Reactions
Photosystem I (PS I): Most excited by light at 700 nm; called P700.
Only contains chlorophyll a.
Photosystem II (PS II): Most excited by light at 680 nm; called
P680. Contains chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, xanthophylls and
anthocyanins. Was discovered after PSI, hence the II.
1. Photons of light are absorbed by antenna pigments causing them to move from a ground state to an excited
state.
2. “Excitation” energy is passed along chlorophyll molecules until it reaches the reaction centre.
3. Chlorophyll a in the reaction centre absorbs the energy.
4. The high-energy state of chlorophyll a causes it to emit two electrons.
5. The PEA takes the electrons from chlorophyll a.
PHOTOSYSTEMS
7) What is a photosystem?
Groups of molecules (accessory/antenna pigments plus chlorophylls including the reaction centre)
responsible for the light reactions.
8) Explain the role of the antenna complex.
Antenna pigments absorbs a photon and transfers the
energy from pigment to pigment until it reaches chlorophyll a in the reaction centre.
10) Photosystems are light-harvesting units found in the chloroplast thylakoid membranes. Describe the
differences between photosystem I and photosystem II.
Note: PSI was discovered first (before PSII) hence why it’s given the ‘I” designation.
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ELECTRON TRANSPORT CHAINS AND CHEMIOSMOSIS
Once electrons have been excited at the Photosystem, there are two possible pathways to take…
Electrons from P680/PSII are moved along an ETC, via Pq, the cytochrome b6f complex (which pumps
H+ from the stroma into the lumen) and Pc to P700/PSI (producing ATP along the way) and eventually
(via ferredoxin/Fd) used by NADP+ reductase forming NADPH + H+. Water/H2O is also split releasing
oxygen/O2 (photolysis).
Electrons from P700/PSI are recycled (move between Fd, the cytochrome b6f complex, Pc and back to
PSI) and their energy is used to form ATP molecules (but NOT NADPH) via chemiosmosis.
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NON-CYCLIC ELECTRON FLOW AND CHEMIOSMOSIS
Photosynthesis begins when a photon strikes PHOTOSYSTEM II/P680 and excites an electron of chlorophyll a.
The excited electron is captured by the primary electron acceptor (PEA) through a series of redox reactions.
The Oxygen-evolving complex (OEC), associated with photosystem II, splits WATER/H2O into oxygen, hydrogen
ions (protons), and electrons. One of these electrons is used to replace the missing electron in PHOTOSYSTEM
II, P680. Oxygen DIFFUSES OUT OF the cell and the protons remain in the THYLAKOID space.
The electron passes through a set of enzyme complexes (you are not required to know the individual names of
the components).
The components transport HYDROGEN IONS/H+ from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen, thus creating an
ELECTROCHEMICAL GRADIENT for chemiosmosis (similar to the process in cellular respiration!).
Then the electron passes through other components of an electron transport chain similar to that in cellular
respiration, eventually replacing an electron that is lost by PHOTOSYSTEM I/P700 when it is struck by a
PHOTON.
11) Where does the electron that is used in the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH come from?
Photosystem I/P700
15) In one sentence, describe the ultimate goal of the light-dependent reactions:
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To produce both ATP and NADPH to be used in the next part of photosynthesis (i.e. the Light-Independent
Reactions/the Calvin cycle). Bonus: Oxygen gets produced/released :)
General Info:
Occurs in 80% of plants. Also called C3 Photosynthesis. A series of synthesis reactions that occur in the stroma.
A cycle (named for Melvin Calvin) similar to Krebs.
Carbon dioxide – diffuses into the leaf via stomata; ATP & NADPH – come from the light-dependent rxns
No light required (hence light-independent or “dark”) but typically occurs during the day
To produce one molecule of glucose: it takes 6 ‘turns’ of the cycle and uses 6CO2, 18 ATP and 12 NADPH
Note: The diagram in your notes (and the one used in the Slides and most texts) show 3 combined/consecutive
turns of the cycle (fixing 3 CO2, using 9 ATP and 6 NADPH and making 1 G3P). One ‘turn’/cycle therefore fixes
only 1 CO2 and uses 3 ATP and 2 NADPH #Math
Key Terms:
RuBP - ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate 3-PGA - 3-phosphoglycerate G3P - glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
Stage Description
1. Carbon Fixation ● 3 CO2 are added to 3 RuBP (5C) to form 3 unstable 6-carbon
intermediates.
● The intermediates split into six 3-carbon molecules called PGA.
● These reactions are catalyzed by rubisco (ribulose bisphosphate
carboxylase/oxygenase)
NOTE: This diagram, and many like it, show 3 combined “turns” of the cycle in which 3 CO2
creates 1 usable G3P (and which requires 9 ATP and 6 NADPH).
It, therefore, requires two/2 combined “turns” (6 CO2, 18 ATP and 12 NADPH) to create one
molecule of glucose (C6H12O6).
*Technically though, one cycle only fixes one molecule of CO2 and six/6 complete cycles are
required to generate the 2 G3P required to make 1 glucose.
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The Calvin Cycle Worksheet
Use the diagram above, info from the slides and supplemental resources to answer the following questions:
1. What products of the light reactions are used for the Calvin Cycle? ATP and NADPH
2. Where do the reactions that convert carbon dioxide into carbohydrate molecules occur in the
chloroplasts? In the Stroma
3. Why is the Calvin Cycle in photosynthesis similar to the Krebs Cycle in cellular respiration? It is a cyclical
process in which the original reactants (RuBP and oxaloacetate) are regenerated and reused.
4. Describe the first reaction of the Calvin Cycle. Carbon fixation: CO2 combines (is “fixed”) with RuBP and
produces an unstable 6C intermediate which is immediately converted into a 3C molecule called PGA.
6. What compound is the reducing agent (i.e. oxidizes another substance) in the next few steps of the
Calvin Cycle? NADPH
7. During the reduction reactions, what final product exits from the Calvin Cycle? G3P (or PGAL)
8. What happens to the remaining G3P molecules within the Calvin Cycle? They are used to regenerate
RuBP
Energy Profile
Ender- or exergonic?
Ana- or catabolic?
Uphill or downhill?
Exergonic, Catabolic, “downhill” Endergonic, anabolic, “uphill”
Electron Source (for H2O (Chlorophyll a molecules in
NADH & FADH2
ETC) photosystems)
Location of ATP
Mitochondrial matrix Stroma
synthesis
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