Add labels to the figure that follows, which illustrates the product and reactants of photosynthesis and the relationship between its light reactions and light-independent reactions.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main components involved in photosynthesis: the chloroplast, thylakoid, stroma, light energy, CO2, O2, ATP, and NADP+.
2. Label the thylakoid as the site where light-dependent reactions occur, capturing light energy to produce ATP and NADPH.
3. Label the stroma as the site where light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) occur, using ATP and NADPH to convert CO2 into glucose.
4. Indicate the input of light energy into the thylakoid and the production of O2 as a byproduct of the light-dependent reactions.
5. Show the flow of ATP and NADPH from the thylakoid to the stroma, where they are used in the light-independent reactions to fix CO2 into organic molecules.

Key Concepts

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the biochemical process by which green plants, algae, and some bacteria convert light energy into chemical energy, specifically glucose. This process occurs primarily in chloroplasts and involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle). The overall equation for photosynthesis can be summarized as 6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2.

Light-dependent Reactions

Light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and require light to produce ATP and NADPH. During these reactions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, leading to the splitting of water molecules (photolysis), which releases oxygen as a byproduct. The energy captured is then used to convert ADP and NADP+ into their energized forms, ATP and NADPH, which are essential for the subsequent light-independent reactions.

Light-independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

The light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle, take place in the stroma of chloroplasts and do not require light directly. Instead, they utilize ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose through a series of enzymatic reactions. This cycle is crucial for synthesizing organic compounds that serve as energy sources for the plant and, ultimately, for other organisms in the ecosystem.