Chap. 6 : Photosynthesis Photosynthesis – involves a series of chemical reactions where the products of one become the reactants of another …. called biochemical pathways.

I.Light Absorption (light reactions) --- occur in chloroplast

A. Composition of Light A. Composition of Light ROY G BIV – each color is a certain wavelength of light. The wavelength decreases left to right. ROY G BIV – each color is a certain wavelength of light. The wavelength decreases left to right. -- When light hits an object it is either : reflected, transmitted, or absorbed reflected, transmitted, or absorbed ( will see it) (won’t see it) ( will see it) (won’t see it) Ex. Sky is blue because blue light is reflected while all others are absorbed.

B. Chloroplast Pigments B. Chloroplast Pigments chlorophyll a -- main pigment chlorophyll a -- main pigment chlorophyll b chlorophyll b carotenoids carotenoids accessory pigments – help chlorophyll a absorb more wavelengths of light.

II. Electron Transport A. Photosystem (PS) – cluster of pigments in thylakoids. II. Electron Transport A. Photosystem (PS) – cluster of pigments in thylakoids. Process of Photosynthesis

Electron replacement into photosystem II Electron replacement into photosystem II water splitting molecule Photosystem II 2H 2 O O2O2 4 H+ 4 e- light 2 H 2 O4 H+ + 4e- + O 2 PS II Inside Thylakoid

III. Chemiosmosis -- making of ATP from creating a concentration gradient of p+( H+). Proton concentration greater inside the thylakoid than outside in stroma so this creates potential energy. This energy is used by enzyme ATP synthase molecule to change ADP to ATP -- making of ATP from creating a concentration gradient of p+( H+). Proton concentration greater inside the thylakoid than outside in stroma so this creates potential energy. This energy is used by enzyme ATP synthase molecule to change ADP to ATP --- end result of light reactions inside the thylakoids is : ATP and NADPH molecules --- end result of light reactions inside the thylakoids is : ATP and NADPH molecules

IV. Calvin Cycle (light independent reactions)– production of organic compounds using energy stored in ATP and NADPH from the light reactions A. Steps of Calvin Cycle - CO 2 is “fixed” – changing the carbon from CO 2 into a carbon used by organisms (organic carbon) - CO 2 is “fixed” – changing the carbon from CO 2 into a carbon used by organisms (organic carbon) - occurs in the stroma of chloroplast - occurs in the stroma of chloroplast 1. CO 2 binds with RuBP (5-carbon sugar) to create a 6 carbon sugar which immediately splits into 2 PGA s (3-carbon molecules) 1. CO 2 binds with RuBP (5-carbon sugar) to create a 6 carbon sugar which immediately splits into 2 PGA s (3-carbon molecules)

2. Each PGA releases a phosphate group to become PGAL. Also ADP and NADP+ is released to fuel the light reactions. 3.Most PGAL is converted back to RuBP to continue the Calvin Cycle but some PGAL will be released to become organic compounds. --- It takes 2 cycles through to make 1 glucose --- It takes 2 cycles through to make 1 glucose --- Plants that “fix” carbon using only the Calvin Cycle are called C 3 plants. --- Plants that “fix” carbon using only the Calvin Cycle are called C 3 plants.

Calvin Cycle (Dark Reactions) Goes through cycle twice so end result is 1 glucose molecule (C6H12O6) Occurs in stroma of chloroplast

*** All 3 parts together ( light dependent / chemiosmois/ and calvin cycle) NADPH and ATP form from the light reactions and provide the energy to fuel the light independent reactions (dark reactions/calvin cycle) *** Overall reaction for photosynthesis : 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + light → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2 6CO 2 + 6H 2 O + light → C 6 H 12 O 6 + 6O 2

B. Alternative Pathways -- some plants due to their environment (mostly hot and dry) cannot fix carbon like C3 plants because they would lose too much water when their stomata(pores in leaf ) opens to take in CO2 -- some plants due to their environment (mostly hot and dry) cannot fix carbon like C3 plants because they would lose too much water when their stomata(pores in leaf ) opens to take in CO2 1. C4 plants – fix CO2 into a 4-carbon molecule instead of 3-carbon one. Allows stomata to open less therefore losing less water. Ex. Corn and sugar cane

2. CAM plants 2. CAM plants -- open stomata at night and collect CO2 which they then use during the day in the Calvin Cycle. Will not grow very big. Conserves water in hot tropical and desert areas. -- open stomata at night and collect CO2 which they then use during the day in the Calvin Cycle. Will not grow very big. Conserves water in hot tropical and desert areas. ex. Cacti and pineapple