Question

In your own words, give a brief overview of the process of photosynthesis. Include where each phase place within a plant cell.

Answer 1

Photosynthesis has two parts: the light-dependent reactions and the dark reactions (the Calvin cycle). Photosynthesis in a general sense, uses CO2 and water to create C6H12O6 (glucose) and oxygen. The light-dependent reactions use water to make oxygen, and a reduced energy carrier (NADPH) is also created. The Calvin cycle uses carbon dioxide and ATP to create G3P for glucose.

The light-dependent reactions occur on the membrane of the thylakoid and also involve shuttling electrons across different complexes (photosystem II and photosystem I), eventually causing ATP to be created with a proton gradient.

The light-independent reactions/Calvin cycle occur in the stroma of the chloroplast and also involve shuffling carbons around. Carbon dioxide is processed in three stages, and glucose is made from 6 CO2.