Topic 11 - Photosynthesis

• The leaf is the main photosynthetic structure in eukaryotic plants.
• Chloroplasts are the cellular organelles in the leaf where photosynthesis occurs.
• The overall equation for photosynthesis is : 6CO2 + 6H2O -> C6H12O6 + 6O2.
• There are three major stages that comprise photosynthesis : capturing light energy, the light-dependent reaction and the light-independent reaction.
• The first stage of photosynthesis is the capturing of light energy. This is done by chloroplast pigments such as chlorophyll.
• The second stage of photosynthesis is the light-dependent reaction. In this process, some of the light energy absorbed is conserved in chemical bonds.
• In the LDR, an electron flow is created due to the effects of light energy on chlorophyll, causing water to undergo photolysis. The products of photolysis are protons, electrons and oxygen.
• The final products of the LDR are reduced NADP, ATP and oxygen.
• The final stage of photosynthesis is known as the light-independent reaction. During this reaction, protons (hydrogen ions) are used to produce sugars and other organic molecules.