Question

Part of the light reactions of photosynthesis involves an enzyme splitting water.

H₂O → 2 e⁻ + 2 H⁺+ ½ O₂
Where do the electrons go?

Answer 1

The electrons released from the splitting of water during photosynthesis are used in the chloroplast electron transport chain, ultimately contributing to the formation of NADPH.

Step-by-step explanation:

During the light reactions of photosynthesis, the enzyme splits water molecules (H₂O) into electrons, hydrogen ions (H⁺), and oxygen atoms. The electrons released are transferred to the reaction center of photosystem II (PSII), often referred to as P680. These high-energy electrons are then passed to a primary electron acceptor and through the electron transport chain (ETC) to photosystem I (PSI). Subsequently, these electrons contribute to the reduction of NADP⁺ to NADPH, which along with ATP, is utilized in the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules.