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(From Wikipedia; slightly paraphrased to make it easier to understand.)

During the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis, one molecule of the pigment chlorophyll absorbs one photon (unit of light) and loses one electron. This electron is passed to a modified form of chlorophyll (called pheophytin), which passes the electron to a quinone molecule (another pigment), allowing the start of a flow of electrons down an "electron transport chain" that leads to the ultimate reduction of NADP+ to NADPH. In addition, this creates a "proton gradient" across the chloroplast membrane. Its dissipation is used at the same time by "ATP synthase" to make ATP from ADP. The chlorophyll molecule regains the lost electron from a water molecule through a process called photolysis, which releases an oxygen molecule (02).

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The photosynthetic electron transport causes the accumulation of protons in which part of the chloroplast?

The accumulation of protons occurs in the thylakoid space within the chloroplast during photosynthetic electron transport. This forms a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis during the process of photophosphorylation.


What event contributes directly to the creation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane?

The flow of electrons through the photosynthetic electron transport chain contributes directly to the creation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. As electrons move through the chain, they pump protons from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen, generating the proton gradient used for ATP production during photosynthesis.


What is the role of water in the light reactions of photosynthesis?

Water is split in the light reactions of photosynthesis to provide electrons for the photosynthetic electron transport chain. This process releases oxygen as a byproduct. Additionally, water molecules help maintain the balance of protons and electrons within the thylakoid membrane during the light reactions.


What happens to the water molecules when the plants absorb light energy during photosynthesis?

Water molecules are split into oxygen, protons, and electrons when plants absorb light energy during photosynthesis. This process is known as photolysis and occurs in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts. Oxygen is released as a byproduct, while the protons and electrons are used to produce ATP and NADPH for the Calvin cycle.


What is the process by which electrons are restored to chlorophyll after photosynthesis?

During photosynthesis, electrons from water molecules are used to replace the electrons that chlorophyll loses when it absorbs light energy. This process, known as the electron transport chain, involves a series of protein complexes that shuttle electrons and pump protons across the thylakoid membrane in the chloroplast. This generates a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis, ultimately leading to the restoration of electrons to chlorophyll.

Related Questions

The photosynthetic electron transport causes the accumulation of protons in which part of the chloroplast?

The accumulation of protons occurs in the thylakoid space within the chloroplast during photosynthetic electron transport. This forms a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis during the process of photophosphorylation.


Which molecule is split in photosystem ll?

In photosystem II, water (H₂O) is the molecule that is split during the process of photolysis. This reaction produces oxygen (O₂), protons (H⁺), and electrons, which are essential for the photosynthetic process. The electrons generated from water are then transferred to the electron transport chain, ultimately contributing to the production of ATP and NADPH.


What gas is given off by plants during the photosynthetic process?

oxygen.


The electrons essential to the oxygen production process of the light reaction are taken from?

The electrons essential to the oxygen production process in photosynthesis are taken from water molecules during the light reaction in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. When water is split, it releases protons, electrons, and oxygen as byproducts.


Electrons from what replaces the electrons from photosystem 2 during noncyclic electron flow?

water


Where does oxygen gas come from in photosynthesis?

The splitting of water by the process of photolysis in photosystem II. There the electrons and protons are used in the process of photosynthesis but oxygen gas is a byproduct that diffuses out of the stomata into the atmosphere.


What gas is released during the light reactions of photosynthesis?

During the light reactions of photosynthesis, oxygen gas (O₂) is released as a byproduct. This occurs when water molecules are split (a process known as photolysis) to provide electrons for the photosynthetic process. The oxygen produced is then released into the atmosphere.


What happens to electrons during ion formation?

During ion formation, electrons are either gained or lost by an atom. When electrons are lost, a positively charged ion forms (cation), and when electrons are gained, a negatively charged ion forms (anion). This process balances the number of protons and electrons in the atom to achieve a stable electron configuration.


Name of process when protons and neutrons react during nuclear fusion?

The process when protons and neutrons react during nuclear fusion is called nucleosynthesis. This is the process by which new atomic nuclei are formed from existing protons and neutrons.


What event contributes directly to the creation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane?

The flow of electrons through the photosynthetic electron transport chain contributes directly to the creation of a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane. As electrons move through the chain, they pump protons from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen, generating the proton gradient used for ATP production during photosynthesis.


Where did the electrons used in the light dependent process come from?

The electrons used in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis come from water molecules (H₂O). When light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts, it energizes electrons, which are then stripped from water molecules during a process called photolysis. This process not only releases oxygen as a byproduct but also provides the energized electrons needed to drive the subsequent reactions in the photosynthetic pathway.


What is the role of water in the light reactions of photosynthesis?

Water is split in the light reactions of photosynthesis to provide electrons for the photosynthetic electron transport chain. This process releases oxygen as a byproduct. Additionally, water molecules help maintain the balance of protons and electrons within the thylakoid membrane during the light reactions.