The light reaction takes place in the thylakoid discs. Inside, water (H20) is oxidized, and oxygen (O2) is released. The electrons freed up from water are transfered to ATP and NADPH. The dark reaction occurs outside of the thylakoids. In this reaction, the energy from ATP and NADPH are used to fix carbon dioxide (CO2). The products of this reaction are sugar molecules and other organic molecules necessary for cell function and metabolism.
*Note the dark reaction takes place in the stroma (aqueous fluid surrounding the stacks of thylakoids) and the cytoplasm.
