Photosynthesis Problem Set 1

The Biology Project: Biochemistry

Photosynthesis Problem Set 1

Problem 8 Tutorial: Equation for light reaction

Which of the following is the equation for the light reaction of photosynthesis?

Summary of equations for the light reactions

During the light reactions, water is oxidized, electrons are transferred from water to NADP⁺, and ATP is synthesized. The three components of the light reaction can be summarized with equations:

Oxidation of water: 2 H₂O 0₂ + 4e^- + 4 H⁺
Reduction of NADP⁺: 2 NADP⁺ + 4e^- + 4 H⁺ 2 NADPH + 2 H⁺
ATP synthesis: ADP + P_i ATP

When these equations are combined, the overall equation for the light reactions is obtained.

2 H₂O + 2 NADP⁺ + nADP + nP_i + hv O₂ + 2 NADPH + 2 H⁺ + nATP

The Biology Project
University of Arizona
Thursday, October 3, 1996
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