|
Home
Cell Structure
and Function
Biomembranes
Photosynthesis
Cell
Respiration
DNA Structure
and Replication
Contacts
|
Photosynthesis
 Concept 8: Cooperation of the
Light Reactions and the Calvin Cycle
Photosynthesis depends on an
interaction between two sets of reactions: the light reactions and
the Calvin cycle. Chlorophyll and the other molecules responsible
for the light reactions are built into the thylakoid membranes. The
enzymes that catalyze the Calvin cycle are located in the stroma.
Beginning with the absorption of light by chlorophyll, the light
reactions convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of
ATP and NADPH. The ATP provides the energy, and the NADPH supplies
the electrons for the Calvin cycle, which converts carbon dioxide to
sugar. The ADP and NADP+ that result from the Calvin cycle shuttle
back to the light reactions, which regenerate ATP and NADPH.
 |