Light-Dependent Reaction

3.
2 The Light-Dependent
Reaction
Photosynthesis
Learning Objectives
To understand what it meant by oxidation
and reduction in photosynthesis.
To understand how ATP is made during the
light-dependent reaction.
To know the role of photolysis is in the lightdependent reaction.
To understand how chloroplasts are adapted to
carry out the light-dependent reaction.
An Outline of Photosynthesis
The overall equation for photosynthesis is:
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6

The equation is highly
and shows
+oversimplified
6O2
the overall result of what is actually a complex
metabolic pathway.
There are three main stages involved in

1. Capturing
photosynthesis:
of Light
2. The LightEnergy
Dependent
3. The
Reaction
LightIndependen
t Reaction
Outline of the 3 Stages

1. Capturing of Light Energy
Light is absorbed by the pigment chlorophyll which is
present in chloroplasts.
2. The Light-Dependent Reaction
In this stage, light energy is converted into chemical
energy.
An electron flow is created and cause the photolysis
of water into protons, electrons and oxygen.
The stage ultimately produces reduced NADP, ATP and
oxygen.
3. The Light-Independent Reaction
The protons (H+ ions) are used to reduce carbon
dioxide to produce sugars and other organic
molecules.
Light Capturing
Chlorophyll
Light-Dependent
H2O
Splitting of
Water
H O
ATP
byproduct
CO2
+
Reduction of CO2
Light-Independent
Reaction
C6H12O6
glucose
OXIDATION & REDUCTION
Oxidation & Reduction

In the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis, the
majority of reactions involve molecules being oxidised
and reduced.
Oxidation and reduction can be explained in three
ways:
OXIDATION
REDUCTION
Gain of OXYGEN
Loss of OXYGEN
Loss of
HYDROGEN
Gain of
HYDROGEN
Loss of
Gain of
ELECTRONS
ELECTRONS
Remember
that oxidation and reduction
always occur
TOGETHER.
THE LIGHT-DEPENDENT
REACTION
Outline of the Light-Dependent

Reaction
This stage of photosynthesis occurs on the
thylakoid membranes, unlike the lightindependent reaction (which occurs in the stroma).
The reaction involves the capture of light, whose

energy is used for two purposes:
To combine ADP and an Pi

(inorganic phosphate) to form
ATP.
To split water into H+ (protons)
and OH- ions. This is known as
photolysis.
Remember that the production of ATP in this way is

called photophosphorylation.
energy lev
el
energy
ATP!Pi
ADP
electron
energy
reduced
NADP
e- echlorophyl
l
NADP
e- HH2O
O2
+
byproduct
LDR part 1 Making ATP

A chlorophyll molecule absorbing light, boosts a
pair of electrons to a higher energy level.
These excited electrons actually leave the
chlorophyll molecule and are taken up by an
electron carrier.
This is the first of a sequence of redox reactions.
e- echlorop
hyll
oxidised
reduced
Next, the electrons are passed along a series

electron carriers, in a stage known as the electronEnergy is
transport
chain.
released each
e- eDECREASING
ENERGY
LEVEL
time the
electrons pass
from carrier to
carrier.
Continued
The energy that is released as the electrons pass
down the transfer chain, is used to synthesise
ATP.
ADP
Pi
ATP
As the initial energy was derived from light, the

formation of ATP in this manner is called
photophosphorylation.
Note:
When the light struck the chlorophyll, two

electrons were lost.
These need to be replaced or the chlorophyll
can no longer absorb light energy.
They are replaced by the other set of
reactions in the light dependent stage
LDR part 2 Photolysis of Water

As well as exciting electrons in chlorophyll, light
energy is also able to split water molecules.
This photolysis yields the following products:
H2O
H
+
e-
O2
The electrons produced are used to reduce the

chlorophyll molecule restoring the electrons it had
lost.
The oxygen produced is a by-product which is either
used in respiration, or leaves the cell.
The proton (hydrogen ion) is very important
though
Continued
The hydrogen ions produced by the photolysis of water
are taken up by the electron carrier NADP.
NADP is also the final acceptor of the pair of electrons
released at the beginning of the light-dependent stage.
e- e-
NADP
H
reduced
NADP
We know that gain of electrons or hydrogen is known

as reduction.
As a result reduced NADP has been formed.
Along with the ATP formed earlier, reduced NADP is
vital for the next stage of photosynthesis the lightindependent stage.
LightDependent
Reaction
AT
P!
reduced
NADP
LightIndependent
Reaction
energy lev
el
energy
ATP!Pi
ADP
electron
energy
reduced
NADP
e- echlorophyl
l
NADP
e- HH2O
O2
+
byproduct
SITE OF THE LDR
Site of the Light-Dependent Reaction

The light-dependent reaction takes place in the
thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
The thylakoid membranes
provide a large surface
area for presence of
chlorophyll, electron
carriers and enzymes
required for the lightdependent reaction.
The granal membranes have enzymes attached to

them which help manufacture ATP.
Chloroplasts contain both DNA and ribosomes so
that can easily manufacture proteins/enzymes
required in the LDR.
Learning Objectives
To understand what it meant by oxidation
and reduction in photosynthesis.
To understand how ATP is made during the
light-dependent reaction.
To know the role of photolysis is in the lightdependent reaction.
To understand how chloroplasts are adapted to
carry out the light-dependent reaction.

Light-Dependent Reaction

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3.

6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6

There are three main stages involved in

Outline of the 3 Stages

OXIDATION & REDUCTION

Oxidation & Reduction

Outline of the Light-Dependent

The reaction involves the capture of light, whose

To combine ADP and an Pi

Remember that the production of ATP in this way is

LDR part 1 Making ATP

Next, the electrons are passed along a series

As the initial energy was derived from light, the

When the light struck the chlorophyll, two

LDR part 2 Photolysis of Water

The electrons produced are used to reduce the

We know that gain of electrons or hydrogen is known

SITE OF THE LDR

Site of the Light-Dependent Reaction

The granal membranes have enzymes attached to

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