Photosynthesis

Before we begin, it is important that you are aware where photosynthesis is happening. Below is a diagram of a chloroplast with some key areas labeled.

Light Dependent Reaction

As hinted by the title, this part of photosynthesis requires light. When light hits the thylakoid membranes, chlorophyll pigment becomes excited by the energy and two electrons are emitted. These pass through an electron transfer chain to produce ATP in a process known as photophosphorylation [fo-to-fos-fo-riy-lay-shun]. These high energy electrons are also used to split water molecules (photolysis), producing more electrons, hydrogen ions (or protons) and oxygen. This is where the oxygen plant's produce comes from.

Electrons are picked up by NADP to make NADPH (or reduced NADP), and these, along with some [biology/biochemistry/atp.html|ATP] that has been produced by photophosphorylation, are used in the next reaction.

Light Independent Reaction: Calvin Cycle

The light independent reaction takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast, involving its very own cycle of reactions called the Calvin Cycle, outlined below.

Carbon dioxide enters the cycle and reacts with ribulose bisphosphonate (RuBP) to make a 6 carbon compound, which is so unstable it immediately breaks down to two molecules of glycerate 3-phosphate (GP).

In the next step, ATP and NADPH from the previous reaction are used to reduce GP to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (GALP). A sixth of the GALP produced leaves the cycle to make glucose, however the rest is made in to RuBP so the cycle can continue.

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