AP Bio: Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of glucose, using carbon dioxide and water.

The two main stages of photosynthesis are the light reactions and the Calvin cycle.

The light reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.

The primary pigment involved in photosynthesis is chlorophyll.

NADP+ acts as an electron carrier, accepting electrons during the light reactions to form NADPH.

The Calvin cycle is significant because it uses ATP and NADPH produced in the light reactions to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Photorespiration is a process that occurs when the enzyme RuBisCO fixes oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency.

C3 plants fix carbon dioxide directly in the Calvin cycle, while C4 plants first fix carbon dioxide into a four-carbon compound before entering the Calvin cycle.

Hot and dry conditions increase the risk of photorespiration in C3 plants.

Chlorophyll a is the main pigment that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis, primarily in the blue and red wavelengths.