13/05/2024

Chapter 10 Photosynthesis Photosynthesis

• an overview of photosynthesis =
• light
• the two parts of photosynthesis :
- the light reactions
- the Calvin cycle
• some problems: free radicals,
photorespiration

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• performed by:

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• C from _____ is ‘fixed’ into a sugar Photosynthesis has two parts: Light reactions
and the Calvin cycle
• ____ is ‘split’, leaving O as a waste product
• Light Reactions produce ___ and energy-
• includes redox reactions and an e- transport carrying _____
chain - but these are short-lived molecules
• Calvin Cycle uses their E to make a _____

- it’s E can be used later (i.e. in _________)

- or it can be converted into

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Light:
• visible light is a small part of the
electromagnetic spectrum
• different wavelengths = different colours

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• when light hits matter, it can be: • pigment =

• _________ absorb blue and red

(but reflect/transmit green)
• __________ absorb blues, greens
(reflect yellow, orange)
• anthocyanin:

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i) The Light Reactions • the pigment molecules absorb E by having e-

• occur at thylakoid membrane bump to higher E level

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• the high E e-s are then used to make ______ ii) Calvin cycle
or allowed to fall down an e- transport • in the ______
chain to make _____
• uses E in ATP and NADPH (from Light reactions)
• _____ is split; O2 is a waste product
• uses C in CO2 to make a 3-C sugar
• ATP and NADPH go
to:

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The Calvin Cycle

- starting and ending
3 CO2 molecule is a 5-C
sugar =
ATP *
NADPH RuBP
- * enzyme that binds
i
RuBP and CO2 =
______

3-C sugar =
back to

can go to

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The fate of G3P: The Regulation of Photosynthesis:

• requires light!

• can be converted to • high [sugar]: inhibits photosynthetic enzymes

• used for making : activates
(it is an intermediate of glycolysis)
• excess combined to make
• used to make sucrose • Rubisco activated
inhibited

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Challenges to Photosynthetic Efficiency: • how to defend against free oxygen species?

a) Too much light energy can cause damage - prevent their formation:

• the light or stray high energy e- can combine -

with O2

-
-

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b) Photorespiration • occurs when [CO2] in cell is low and when

[O2] is high
• when Rubisco accepts ___ into its active
site instead of CO2 • is worse on hot, sunny days
• it then bonds ___ to RuBP causing RuBP to stomata closed to save water
break apart
• i.e.

• can lose up to 50% of fixed C this way

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How could something so inefficient occur? • only 1-2% of the solar energy hitting a leaf is
converted into carbohydrates
•

• some groups of plants minimize

photorespiration via ‘add-on’ pathways
C4:
CAM:

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Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes Continued:

• summarize the result of photosynthesis, in • list the net reactants and products of the
plain language light reactions
• list the different taxa that perform • summarize the events of the light reactions,
photosynthesis (PS) including a description of the path of
• write out the overall reaction of PS electrons, and the role of light, water, and
• summarize, in a sentence, what each of the electron carriers
two parts of PS accomplishes • describe how the final products of the light
• define light energy, visible light, and pigment reactions are used
• list three different photopigments and • explain how the electron transport chain of
describe which colours they absorb best the light reactions is similar and different to
• draw and label a plant chloroplast that in cellular respiration

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Learning Outcomes Continued: Learning Outcomes Continued:

• list the net reactants and products of the • discuss why plants have not just evolved a
Calvin Cycle solution to the problem of photorespiration
• describe the possible fates of the sugar • briefly describe two ways in which some
produced in the Calvin Cycle taxa of plants have evolved a way to lessen
• explain how too much light can negatively the problem photorespiration
affect the efficiency of PS
• describe photorespiration
• describe two negative effects of
photorespiration

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