11/18/22, 1:27 PM Light-Dependent Reaction
Light-Dependent Reaction
The light-dependent reaction refers to a series of reactions in photosynthesis that r
energy. Light energy is used for three reactions in photosynthesis to:
1. Reduce NADP (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) an
to NDPH (addition of electrons).
2. Synthesise ATP (adenosine triphosphate) from inorganic phosp
and ADP (adenosine diphosphate).
3. Split water into H+ ions, electrons, and oxygen.
The overall equation for the light-dependent reaction is:
The light-dependent reaction is referred to as a redox reaction as substances both lo
electrons, hydrogen, and oxygen in the process.
When a substance loses electrons, loses hydrogen, or gains oxygen, it is called oxida
a substance gains electrons, gains hydrogen, or loses oxygen, it is referred to as r
these happen simmultaneously, redox.
A good way to remember this (in relation to electrons or hydrogen) is through the acron
Oxidation Is Loss, Reduction Is Gain.
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What are the reactants in the light-depe
reaction?
The reactants for the light-dependent reaction are water, NADP+, ADP, and inorganic
(Pi).
As you’ll see below, water is an essential part of photosynthesis. Water donates its el
H+ ions through a process called photolysis, and both of these things play a big part i
the light-dependent reactions, particularly in the formation of NADPH and ATP.
Definition
Photolysis refers to the reaction, during which the bonds between the atoms are
light energy (direct) or radiant energy (indirect).
NADP+ is a type of coenzyme - an organic, non-protein compound that catalyses
through binding with an enzyme. It is useful in photosynthesis as it can accept
electrons - essential for a process full of redox reactions! It combines with electrons a
to form NADPH, an essential molecule for the light-independent reaction.
The formation of ATP from ADP is a vital part of photosynthesis as ATP is often referr
cell’s energy currency. Like NADPH, it is used to fuel the light-independent reaction.
The light-dependent reaction in stages
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There are three stages in light-dependent reaction: oxidation, reduction and genera
Photosynthesis takes place in the chloroplast (you can refresh your memory on the st
photosynthesis article).
Oxidation
The light reaction occurs along the thylakoid membrane.
When chlorophyll molecules, found in photosystem II (the protein complex) absorb l
the pair of electrons within the chlorophyll molecule are raised to a higher energy l
electrons then leave the chlorophyll molecule, and the chlorophyll molecule becom
This process is called photoionisation.
Water acts as an electron donor to replace the missing electrons in the chlorophy
This leads to water being oxidised, which means it loses electrons. Water is split i
two H+ ions, and two electrons through this process (photolysis). Plastocyanin (
mediates electron transfer) then carries these electrons from photosystem II to photo
the next part of the light reaction.
They also pass through plastoquinone (molecule involved in the electron transport
cytochrome b6f (an enzyme), as you’ll be able to see in Figure 1, but these are not usually n
know about for A-level.
The equation for this reaction is:
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Reduction
The electrons produced in the last stage enter photosystem I and reach the end of t
transport chain. Using the enzyme NADP dehydrogenase as a catalyst (speeds up the
they combine with an H+ ion and NADP+. This reaction produces NADPH (nicotinam
dinucleotide phosphate hydrogen) and is referred to as a reduction reaction since N
electrons. NADPH is sometimes referred to as “reduced NADP.”
The equation for this reaction is:
Various inhibitors can slow this process. One of these is ammonium hydroxide
Ammonium hydroxide inhibits the enzyme NADP dehydrogenase, which subsequen
NADP+ from turning into NADPH at the end of the electron transport chain. You can
about this and other substances that impact the rate of photosynthesis in "investigat
of photosynthesis practical" article.
Generation of ATP
The final stage of the light-dependent reaction involves generating ATP.
In the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplasts, ATP is generated by combining
inorganic phosphate. This is done using an enzyme called ATP synthase. In previou
the light-dependent reaction, H+ ions have been produced through photolysis. This m
is a high concentration of protons in the thylakoid lumen, behind the membrane tha
this space from the stroma.
Chemiosmotic theory
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The production of ATP can be explained by something called the chemiosmo
Proposed in 1961 by Peter D. Mitchell, this theory states that most ATP synthesis com
electrochemical gradient established over the thylakoid disc membrane. This elec
gradient is established through the high concentration of H+ ions in the thylakoid lum
low concentration of H+ ions in the stroma. These H+ ions can only cross th
membrane through ATP synthase as it is a channel protein - meaning it has a channe
it that protons can fit through. As these protons pass through ATP synthase, they
enzyme to change in structure. This catalyses the production of ATP from ADP and ph
The equation for this reaction is:
What does the light-dependent reaction look like on a diagram?
Figure 1 will help you visualise the light-dependent reaction. You’ll be able to see t
flow from photosystem II to photosystem I, as well as the flow of H+ ions from the thyla
into the stroma via ATP synthase.
What are the products of the light-depe
reaction?
The products of the light-dependent reaction are oxygen, ATP, and NADPH.
Oxygen is released back into the air after photosynthesis, whilst ATP and NADPH fu
independent reaction.
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As discussed earlier, ATP is considered a transporter of energy. ATP is a nucleotide,
an adenine base which is attached to a ribose sugar and three phosphate groups
These three phosphate groups are linked to each other by two high-energy bonds, re
phosphoanhydride bonds. When one phosphate group is removed by b
phosphoanhydride bond, energy is released. This energy is then used in the light-in
reaction. NADPH functions as both an electron donor and energy source for various s
light-independent reaction.
Light-Dependent Reaction - Key
takeaways
The light-dependent reaction is a series of reactions in photosynthesis that requ
energy.
The light-dependent reaction has three functions: to produce NADPH from NA
H+ ions, to synthesise ATP from inorganic phosphate and ADP, and to break w
H+ ions, electrons, and oxygen.
The overall equation for the light-dependent reaction is:
The reactants of the light reaction are oxygen, ADP, and NADP+. The prod
oxygen, H+ ions, NADPH and ATP. NADPH and ATP are both essential molecule
light-independent reaction.
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