Chapter 7, Problem 1CC

Complete this summary map of photosynthesis.

Summary Introduction

To complete: The connect map to summarize the major steps in photosynthesis.

Concept introduction: Photosynthesis is a vital process in primary producers, plants. Plants use light energy and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and produce sugars that are stored in various parts of the plants. The most edible ones are consumed by the primary consumers. Several compounds are converted and recycled in the process of photosynthesis. Several reactions of photosynthesis take place in the chloroplast of the plant cell, which contains the green pigment chlorophyll.

Answer to Problem 1CC

The Fig.1 shows all the key processes in photosynthesis.

Pictorial representation:

The Fig. 1shows the summary of all the processes involved in photosynthesis.

Fig 1: Summary of various steps in photosynthesis.

Explanation of Solution

(a)

Correct answer: Light energy

In the process of photosynthesis, photons from light energy are converted into chemical energy. In the visible spectrum of light, the red and blue wavelengths are used to initiate the reactions of photosynthesis. The light energy is used up to break the water molecule by the process called photolysis of water, which is the first step in photosynthesis.

Hence, the correct answer is light energy.

(b)

Correct answer: Light reactions

Photosynthesis includes two reactions, namely, light-dependent and light-independent reactions. Light reactions are those that are dependent on the incident light energy on the chloroplast. Light reactions include two sub steps. One reaction is the photolysis of water where light energy is used up to break the water molecules to produce an oxygen molecule and protons. The second reaction is where these protons and the energy released during photolysis of water are used up to excite the electrons in the chlorophyll.

Hence, the correct answer is light reactions.

(c)

Correct answer: Calvin cycle

The CBB (Calvin–Benson–Bassham) cycle or Calvin’s cycle is a series of reactions that take place in the stroma of the chloroplast. The Calvin’s cycle is a light-independent reaction, which is also known as the dark reaction. In the Calvin’s cycle, the atmospheric carbondioxide is fixed with ribulose1, 5-bisphosphate to produce two 3-carbon compounds. One of the two 3-carbon compounds is reduced to form another sugar.

Hence, the correct answer is the Calvin cycle

(d)

Correct answer: Oxygen released

During one of the light reactions, that is, photolysis of water, the light energy is used up to break two molecules of water to produce one molecule of oxygen, 4 electrons, and 4 protons (H⁺). The oxygen molecule then escapes the chloroplast and is released into the atmosphere.

Hence, the correct answer is oxygen released

(e)

Correct answer: Electrontransportchain(ETC)

During the second light reaction of photosynthesis, the electrons released from photolysis of water are passed on through the photosystem II and photosystem I and are then sent to the electron transport chain. In the electron transport chain, the protons released during photolysis of water are used by F0-F1 ATP synthase to produce ATP.

Hence, the correct answer is the electron transport chain (ETC)

(f)

Correct answer: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)

During the second light reaction of photosynthesis, the electrons released from photolysis of water are passed on through the photosystem II and photosystem I, which at the end of photosystem II reduce NAD⁺ to NADPH. This NADPH is then used up during the hexose monophosphate pathway to produce several sugars, and it is also used during the Calvin’s cycle to produce sugars.

Hence, the correct answer is NADPH

(g)

Correct answer: ATP

The electrons released from photolysis of water are passed on through the photosystem II and then from the photosystem to the electron transport chain. In the electron transport chain, the protons released during photolysis of water are used by F0-F1 ATP synthase present on the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast to produce ATP. This ATP is used up along with NADPH to produce several sugars in the Calvin’s cycle.

Hence, the correct answer is ATP

(h)

Correct answer: Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)(sugar)

During the Calvin’s cycle, the NADPH and ATP produced during the light reactions and F0-F1 ATP synthase, respectively, are used up to reduce ribulose 1.5-bisphosphate to produce two molecules of G3P. For every 3 molecules of carbondioxide entering the Calvin’s cycle, one G3P is produced. Few G3Ps are sent for the production of 6-carbon sugars and others are recycled back to produce ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate.

Hence, the correct answer is G3P (sugar)