Photosynthesis Facts

1. Formula: C

O2

H2

O + light =

C6

H 12 O 6

O2

Inverse reaction is cellular respiration

2. Autotrophs: create their own food; plants, algae, bacteria
Heterotrophs: consume other organisms to obtain energy; animals, fungi
3. Oxidation: exergonic, losing electrons
Reduction: endergonic, gaining electrons
4. Light Reactions: occurs in the thylakoid membrane
Calvin Cycle: occurs in the stroma
5. Pigments collect sunlight. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that reflects green
visible light.
6. Step 1: Light reactions require light and water and release oxygen. They
produce ATP and NADPH which is used in
Step 2: Calvin Cycle requires ATP, NADPH and carbon dioxide. It produces
glucose (sugar) and returns NADP+ and ADP to the light reactions.
7. The light reactions of photosynthesis have two photosystems (PSII and PSI). A
photosystem consists of a reaction center surrounded by light-harvesting
complexes where chlorophyll is contained.
8. Light Reactions convert solar to chemical energy, linear electron flow
*cyclic electron flow produces more ATP, less NADPH*
a. Photon of light enters PSII and excites electrons in chlorophyll a P680
b. Primary electron acceptor steals excited electrons.
c. Oxidation of water in the thylakoid space releases oxygen, two electrons
and H+ ions. Replace the two electrons in the reaction center.
d. Electrons move to PQ, then to cytochrome (pumps H+ into thylakoid
space), then to PC.
e. Electrons from PC enter PSI replacing electrons in P700. The process of
PSII repeats itself.
f. Electrons are passed to FD, then NADP reductase which makes NADPH.

g. There is a buildup of H+ in the thylakoid space. Those ions diffuse

through an enzyme, ATP Synthase, with makes ATP.
h. The resulting products, NADPH and ATP, go to the Calvin Cycle.
Oxygen is released into the air.
9. Calvin Cycle three cycles make one molecule of G3P

a. Carbon Fixation: the enzyme rubisco catalyzes 3C O2

+ RuBP (5-

carbon sugar) to create a 6-carbon intermediate

b. Reduction: uses 6ATP and 6NADPH to produce one molecule of G3P
that leaves the cycle. 5 molecules of G3P return to the beginning of the
cycle
c. Regeneration: uses 3ATP and 5G3P to regenerate RuBP, so the cycle
can continue
10.

11.

a.
b.
c.
d.

Factors that affect the rate of photosynthesis

light intensity
carbon dioxide concentration
water availability
temperature
C3

C4

, and CAM Plants

a. C3: most common, uses rubisco to fix carbon dioxide, forms a 3-carbon
compound, problem of photorespiration (rubisco binds oxygen with
RuBP)
b. C4: hot, dry environment, uses PEP carboxylase to fix carbon dioxide,
forms a 4-carbon compound, Calvin Cycle takes place in different cells
(mesophyll cells and bundle sheath cells)
c. CAM: arid, extreme environments, stomata open at night and intake
carbon dioxide, close during the day so as not to lose moisture and go
through the Calvin Cycle