Final answer:
Photosynthesis is a two-stage process comprising of the light reactions in the thylakoid membranes where light energy is converted to chemical energy, and the Calvin cycle in the stroma that synthesizes sugars from CO₂ using the energy from the light reactions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two stages of photosynthesis are commonly known as the light reactions and the Calvin cycle. During the light reactions, which occur in the thylakoid membranes, chlorophyll absorbs energy from sunlight and converts it into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH. These reactions also release oxygen as a byproduct from the hydrolysis of water. Following this, the Calvin cycle takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast. This cycle uses the ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions to synthesize GA3P from CO₂, which is eventually utilized to form glucose and other carbohydrates.