Light-dependent reactions take place in the intermembrane space of the thylakoids.
Light –independent reactions take place in the stroma.
Reduced NADP and ATP are produced in the light-dependent reactions.
Absorption of light by photosystems generates excited electrons
Photolysis of water generates electrons for use in the light-independent reactions.
Transfer of excited electrons occurs between carriers in thylakoid membranes.
Excited electrons from Photosytem II are used to contribute to generate a proton gradient.
ATP synthase in thylakoids generates ATP using the proton gradient.
Excited electrons from Photosytem I are used to reduce NADP.
In the light-independent reaction a carboxylase catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose-bisphosphate.
Glycerate 3-phosphate is reduced to triose phosphate using a reduced NADP and ATP.
Triose phosphate is used to regenerate RuBP and produce carbohydrates.
Ribulose bisphosphate is reformed using ATP.
The structure of the chloroplast is adapted to its function in photosynthesis.
Applications:
Calvin's Experiment to elucidate the carboxylation of RuBP
Skills:
Annotation of a diagram to indicate the adaptations of a chloroplast to its function
Nature of Science
Developments in scientific research follow improvements in apparatus- sources of 14C and autoradiography enabled Calvin to elucidate the pathways of carbon fixation.