Pass the mouse pointer over this diagram for more information. This version refers to hydroxide ions as the source of electrons, as stated by some exam boards. A more recent version is available here.
The light-dependent reactions take place in the membranous sections of the chloroplast - thylakoids (granae/lamellae) - which offer a large surface area to absorb light energy. The main function of these reactions is to provide a source of ATP and reduced NADP which are used to reduce CO2 in the light independent reactions. Photolysis is the splitting of water by light – the basis for non-cyclic photophosphorylation.
Water is always in equilibrium with (small quantities of) hydrogen ions (protons) and hydroxide ions:
4H2O 4H+ + 4OH-
4OH- 4e- + O2 + 2H2O
Electrons (e-) are taken up by chlorophyll and passed to a chain of other compounds (see below).
Hydrogen ions react with NADP (at the end of the chain).
Oxygen is released as a by-product.
Chlorophyll absorbs light energy.
This causes it to lose electrons (which makes it positively charged, oxidised).
These electrons are repaid by taking from OH- which came from water.
This effectively pulls the equilibrium to the right, causing more water to dissociate.
Hydrogen ions (H+, protons) are also produced from water.
Electrons leaving chlorophyll have been excited (raised to a higher energy level).
They pass to an electron acceptor and on to a chain of electron carriers.
ATP is produced (twice for each electron) as energy is extracted from the electrons - phosphorylation
Similarly, after electrons are given a second excitation by another chlorophyll they are passed to another set of electron acceptor/carriers.
NADP acts as an electron acceptor and a hydrogen ion acceptor, resulting in the production of reduced NADP. |
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