The Open Door Web Site

 

 PHOTOSYNTHESIS

CHLOROPHYLL AND PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Pigments in the leaves of green plants and algae
 

The fluorescence of chlorophyll

Pure chlorophyll + light

Red fluorescence
     

Chlorophyll in chloroplasts + light

Splits water, synthesises ATP and NADPH + H+

Fluorescence: The excitement of an electron to a high energy level by the action of light energy. Followed by the release of that energy as light again as the electron falls back to its former low energy level.

Something must be happening in the chloroplast to capture these electrons and use their energy.

Free electrons can lead to OXIDATION AND REDUCTION reactions.

Remember:

Oxidation Is a Loss of electrons (OIL)
Reduction Is a Gain of electrons (RIG)

When compounds are oxidised energy is released.

If this release of energy is COUPLED to biological reactions then WORK can be done.

Similarly when compounds are reduced, energy has to be put into the system.

In photosynthesis the source of electrons for reducing

CO2 CH2O is water and the source of energy is light.

© Paul Billiet 2008