_______________________ is a process that uses light energy to drive an electron transport chain to make ATP.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the key components of the process described: it uses light energy and involves an electron transport chain to produce ATP.
2. Recall that in microbiology, the process where light energy is used to drive an electron transport chain for ATP synthesis is known as photophosphorylation.
3. Understand that photophosphorylation occurs in photosynthetic organisms, such as plants, algae, and certain bacteria, where light energy excites electrons that move through the electron transport chain.
4. Recognize that this process results in the generation of a proton gradient across a membrane, which drives ATP synthase to produce ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate.
5. Conclude that the blank in the sentence should be filled with the term 'Photophosphorylation' to accurately describe this light-driven ATP synthesis process.

Key Concepts

Photophosphorylation

Photophosphorylation is the process by which light energy is used to drive an electron transport chain, resulting in the synthesis of ATP. It occurs in photosynthetic organisms, where light excites electrons that move through membrane proteins, creating a proton gradient that powers ATP synthase.

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

The electron transport chain is a series of protein complexes and electron carriers embedded in membranes that transfer electrons through redox reactions. This transfer creates a proton gradient across the membrane, which is essential for ATP production during cellular respiration and photosynthesis.

ATP Synthesis

ATP synthesis is the process of producing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's energy currency. In photophosphorylation, ATP synthase uses the proton gradient generated by the electron transport chain to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate into ATP, providing energy for cellular activities.