1answer.
Ask question
Login Signup
Ask question
All categories
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Social Studies
  • Business
  • History
  • Health
  • Geography
  • Biology
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Computers and Technology
  • Arts
  • World Languages
  • Spanish
  • French
  • German
  • Advanced Placement (AP)
  • SAT
  • Medicine
  • Law
  • Engineering
Alenkasestr [34]
3 years ago
6

Summarize the process of photosynthesis in your own words. Be sure to describe both light and dark reactions.

Biology
1 answer:
Burka [1]3 years ago
5 0

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants absorb light energy from the sun with the assistance of water and carbon dioxide, and transform it into chemical energy to make (synthesize) carbohydrate (specifically glucose) and oxygen.

The "light-independent" or dark reactions happen in the stroma of the chloroplasts. This is also known as the Calvin Cycle. Since these processes can only happen in the chloroplast (a chlorophyll filled plastid in green plants), photosynthesis can only happen in green plants!

The first overall principle of photosynthesis is that the light energy from the sun is transformed into chemical energy and stored in the bonds of glucose (the sugar carbohydrate) for later use by the plant and/or organism that eats the plant.

The second overall principle of photosynthesis is that carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms are taken from carbon dioxide and water molecules and are broken up and rearranged into new substances: carbohydrate (specifically glucose) and oxygen gas (so we can breathe, whew!). This reaction represents the transfer of matter: carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, water from the soil or atmosphere, into sugar in the plant and oxygen back into the atmosphere.

Light-Dependent Reactions

The first part of the process happens in the thylakoids of the chloroplasts and are the "light-dependent" reactions: The photosystems I and II absorb the photons from the sunlight and process them through the membranes of the thylakoids simultaneously. The photons excite electrons in the chlorphyll which then move through the electron transport chain and causes NADP- to combine with H+ forming NADPH. At the same time, ADP (adenosine diphosphate) has come from the dark reaction and a third phosphate chain is bonded forming ATP (adenosine triphosphate) to feed the Calvin Cycle next. Remember that ATP is the important source of all cellular energy.

We now believe that all the oxygen released in photosynthesis comes from the water molecules and all oxygen atoms that form the carbohydrates come from the carbon dioxide molecules. So, in other words during the light-dependent reaction a water molecule is broken down producing two H+ ions and half an oxygen molecule. We get the rest of the oxygen molecule when another water molecule is broken down.

Dark Reactions

Dark reactions are also known as the Calvin Cycle, the Calvin-Benson cycle, and light-independent reactions. The point is that they do not require sunlight to complete their process.

After ATP is formed in the first part of photosynthesis, for living things to grow, reproduce and repair themselves, the inorganic form of CO2 must be transformed into carbohydrate. This happens during the Calvin Cycle in the stroma (the fluid filled interior of the chloroplast). ATP and NADPH combine with CO2 and water to make the end product of glucose. The ADP and NADPH+ are recycled to the light-dependent side to start the process over.

Remember that during hours of darkness, plants cannot perform photosynthesis so they do cellular respiration in the mitochondria just as all living organisms do.

You might be interested in
The following explains information about antioxidants but one, which one is incorrect?
Liono4ka [1.6K]

Answer:

If you did some reaseach the answer would be c.

Explanation:

c. The foods with antioxidants are: all berries are great (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, etc.), green leafy vegetables, carrots, tomatoes, dark chocolate, nuts, kidney beans and all beans, all herbs and foods mother nature provides us.

7 0
3 years ago
Why might having an excretory system that excretes urine be a disadvantage in a desert environment? how can desert animals overc
Pani-rosa [81]
<span>In a desert, water is in scarce supply, so excreting water would be a bad thing and might cause the death of any animal that does so due to dehydration. There can be several different mechanisms to overcome this. One would be to have the bladder discharge urine into the large intestine where the water can then be reabsorbed into the body while the urea in the urine is passed out along with other solid wastes produced by digestion. Some other methods of conserving water would be for the kidneys to extract more water from the urine leaving the urine fairly concentrated. Also animals may behave in manners that conserve water such as staying in the shade during the day and only being active at night.</span>
8 0
3 years ago
PLEASE HELP!!
dybincka [34]

Answer: Environmental Protection Agency

Explanation:

8 0
3 years ago
______________________is the region of land drained by a river system.
GuDViN [60]
A river basin is a region of land drained by a river system. I hope this helped ^^
4 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
Which are the Major components of ribosomes? NEED HELP ASP PLEASE
erastovalidia [21]

Answer:

C

Explanation:

RNA or Rybo-nucleic Acids are used to make the Proteins that have different functions within the cell.

5 0
3 years ago
Read 2 more answers
Other questions:
  • Small steps toward completion of the final project are called _________. benchmarks bunny hops driving questions reflections
    7·2 answers
  • The four major functions of hormones are _____.
    10·1 answer
  • A(n) _____________ is a group of similar cells and their intercellular materials in a discrete region of an organ performing a s
    12·1 answer
  • Please Help!!! Study the following ocean currents map.
    10·2 answers
  • What biomes spans the largest annual mean temperature range
    9·1 answer
  • Now I know that structures in a simple nervous system differ from those in a complex nervous system in that they have a
    7·1 answer
  • •lol first person to answer gets brainliest<br><br> The ________ Is The Powerhouse Of The Cell
    10·1 answer
  • I need help asap!! Please<br> It’s due in a little bit
    12·1 answer
  • The author mentions that Shine made several mistakes in her experiment. Describe one major mistake that Shine made.
    13·1 answer
  • Which of the following molecules do NOT break down Proteins?
    9·2 answers
Add answer
Login
Not registered? Fast signup
Signup
Login Signup
Ask question!