5. Energy transfers in and between organisms Flashcards
(137 cards)
Where does the light-dependent reaction occur?
In the thylakoids of chloroplasts
Where does the light-independent reaction occur?
In the stroma of chloroplasts
Explain the role of light in photoionisation.
Chlorophyll molecules absorb energy from photons of light. This ‘excites’ 2 electrons, causing them to be released from the chlorophyll.
Name the 2 main stages involved in ATP production in the light-dependent reaction.
Electron transfer chain
Chemiosmosis
What happens in the electron transfer chain (ETC)?
Electrons released from chlorophyll move down a series of carrier proteins embedded in the thylakoid membrane and undergo a series of redox reactions, which release energy.
How is a proton concentration gradient established during chemiosmosis?
Some energy released from the electron transfer chain is coupled to the active transport of H+ ions (protons) from the stroma into the thylakoid space.
How does chemiosmosis produce ATP in the light-dependent stage?
H+ ions move down their concentration gradient from the thylakoid space into the stroma via the channel protein ATP synthase.
ATP synthase catalyses ADP + Pi → ATP
Explain the role of light in photolysis.
Light energy splits molecule of water
2H20 → 4H+ + 4e- + O2
What happens to the products of the photolysis of water?
H+ ions: move out of thylakoid space via ATP synthase and are used to reduce the coenzyme NADP.
e-: replace electrons lost from chlorophyll.
O2: used for respiration or diffuses out of leaf as waste gas.
How and where is reduced NADP produced in the light-dependent reaction?
NADP + 2H+ + 2e- → reduced NADP
Catalysed by dehydrogenase enzymes.
Stroma of chloroplasts.
Where do the H+ ions and electrons used to reduce NADP come from?
H+ ions: photolysis of water
Electrons: NADP acts as the final electron acceptor of the electron transfer chain.
Name the 3 main stages in the Calvin cycle.
Carbon fixation
Reduction
Regeneration
What happens during carbon fixation?
Reactions between CO2 and RuBP catalysed by rubisco.
Forms unstable 6C intermediate that breaks down into 2x GP.
What happens during reduction (in the Calvin cycle)?
2x GP are reduced to 2x TP
Requires 2x reduced NADP and 2x ATP
Forms 2x NADP and 2x ATP
How does the light-independent reaction result in the production of useful organic substances?
1C leaves the cycle (i.e. some of the TP is converted into useful organic molecules).
What happens during regeneration (in the Calvin cycle)?
After 1C leaves the cycle, the 5C compound RuP forms.
RuBP is regenerated from RuP using 1x ATP.
Forms 1x ADP.
State the roles of ATP and (reduced) NADP in the light-independent reaction.
ATP: reduction of GP to TP and provides phosphate group to convert RuP into RuBP.
(Reduced) NADP: coenzyme transports electrons needed for reduction of GP to TP.
State the number of carbon atoms in RuBP, GP and TP.
RuBP: 5
GP: 3
TP: 3
Describe the structure of a chloroplasts.
Usually disc-shaped.
Double membrane (envelope).
Thylakoids: flattened discs stack to form grana.
Intergranal lamellae: tubular extensions attach thylakoids in adjacent grana.
Stroma: fluid-filled matrix
How does the structure of the chloroplast maximise the rate of the light-dependent reaction?
ATP synthase channels within granal membrane.
Large surface area of thylakoid membrane for ETC.
Photosystems position chlorophyll to enable maximum absorption of light.
How does the structure of the chloroplast maximise the rate of the light-independent reaction?
Own DNA and ribosomes for synthesis of enzymes e.g. rubisco.
Concentration of enzymes and substrates in stroma is high.
Define ‘limiting factor’.
Factor that determines maximum rate of a reaction, even if other factors change to become more favourable.
Name 4 environmental factors that can limit the rate of photosynthesis.
Light intensity (LDR)
CO2 levels (LIR)
Temperature (enzyme-controlled steps)
Mineral/magnesium levels (maintain normal function of chlorophyll).
Outline some common agricultural practices used to overcome the effect of limiting factors in photosynthesis.
Artificial light, especially at night.
Artificial heating
Addition of CO2 to greenhouse atmosphere.