The light-dependent reactions utilize light energy to make two molecules required for the next stage of photosynthesis: the energy accommodation molecule ATP and the diminished electron carrier NADPH. In plants, the light reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of organelles termed as chloroplasts.
Electron carriers are decreased during glycolysis and the citric acid cycle to NADH + H+ and FADH2. Certain carriers then donate electrons and protons to the atom carrier proteins of the electron transport chain. The last electron acceptor is oxygen. Coincidentally with oxygen, electrons and protons form molecules of water.
