8.

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Photosynthesis is a process by which phototrophs convert light energy into
chemical energy, which is later used to fuel cellular activities. The chemical
energy is stored in the form of sugars, which are created from water and
carbon dioxide.

Table of Contents

• What is Photosynthesis?
• Site of photosynthesis
• Factors
• Equation
• Structure
• Process
• Importance

Photosynthesis definition states that the process exclusively takes place in

the chloroplasts through photosynthetic pigments such as chlorophyll a,
chlorophyll b, carotene and xanthophyll. All green plants and a few other
autotrophic organisms utilize photosynthesis to synthesize nutrients by
using carbon dioxide, water and sunlight. The by-product of the
photosynthesis process is oxygen. Let us have a detailed look at the
process, reaction and importance of photosynthesis.

What Is Photosynthesis in Biology?

The word “photosynthesis” is derived from the Greek
words phōs (pronounced: “fos”) and σύνθεσις (pronounced: “synthesis “)
Phōs means “light” and σύνθεσις means, “combining together.” This means
“combining together with the help of light.”

Photosynthesis also applies to other organisms besides green plants.

These include several prokaryotes such as cyanobacteria, purple bacteria
and green sulphur bacteria. These organisms exhibit photosynthesis just
like green plants. The glucose produced during photosynthesis is then used
to fuel various cellular activities. The by-product of this physio-chemical
process is oxygen.
 A visual representation of the photosynthesis reaction

• Photosynthesis is also used by algae to convert solar energy into chemical

energy. Oxygen is liberated as a by-product and light is considered as a major
factor to complete the process of photosynthesis.
• Photosynthesis occurs when plants use light energy to convert carbon dioxide
and water into glucose and oxygen. Leaves contain microscopic cellular
organelles known as chloroplasts.
• Each chloroplast contains a green-coloured pigment called chlorophyll. Light
energy is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules whereas carbon dioxide and
oxygen enter through the tiny pores of stomata located in the epidermis of
leaves.
• Another by-product of photosynthesis is sugars such as glucose and fructose.
• These sugars are then sent to the roots, stems, leaves, fruits, flowers and seeds.
In other words, these sugars are used by the plants as an energy source, which
helps them to grow. These sugar molecules then combine with each other to
form more complex carbohydrates like cellulose and starch. The cellulose is
considered as the structural material that is used in plant cell walls.

Where Does This Process Occur?

Chloroplasts are the sites of photosynthesis in plants and blue-green
algae. All green parts of a plant, including the green stems, green leaves,
and sepals – floral parts comprise of chloroplasts – green colour plastids.
These cell organelles are present only in plant cells and are located within
the mesophyll cells of leaves.

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis process requires several factors such as:

• Light Intensity: Increased light intensity results in a higher rate of photosynthesis. On

the other hand, low light intensity results in a lower rate of photosynthesis.
 • The concentration of CO2: Higher concentration of carbon dioxide helps in increasing
the rate of photosynthesis. Usually, carbon dioxide in the range of 300 – 400 PPM is
adequate for photosynthesis.
• Temperature: For efficient execution of photosynthesis, it is important to have a
temperature range between 25° to 35° C.
• Water: As water is an important factor in photosynthesis, its deficiency can lead to
problems in the intake of carbon dioxide. The scarcity of water leads to the refusal of
stomatal opening to retain the amount of water they have stored inside.
• Pollution: Industrial pollutants and other particulates may settle on the leaf surface.
This can block the pores of stomata which makes it difficult to take in carbon dioxide.

Photosynthesis Equation
Photosynthesis reaction involves two reactants, carbon dioxide and water.
These two reactants yield two products, namely, oxygen and
glucose. Hence, the photosynthesis reaction is considered to be an
endothermic reaction. Following is the photosynthesis formula:

6CO2 + 6H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6O2

Unlike plants, certain bacteria that perform photosynthesis do not produce

oxygen as the by-product of photosynthesis. Such bacteria are
called anoxygenic photosynthetic bacteria. The bacteria that do produce
oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis are called oxygenic
photosynthetic bacteria.

Photosynthetic Pigments
There are four different types of pigments present in leaves:

1. Chlorophyll a
2. Chlorophyll b
3. Xanthophylls
4. Carotenoids

Structure Of Chlorophyll
The structure of Chlorophyll consists of 4 nitrogen atoms that surround a magnesium
atom. A hydrocarbon tail is also present. Pictured above is chlorophyll-f, which is
more effective in near-infrared light than chlorophyll-a

Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of the plant

cell and in the mesosomes of cyanobacteria. This green colour pigment
plays a vital role in the process of photosynthesis by permitting plants to
absorb energy from sunlight. Chlorophyll is a mixture of chlorophyll-a and
chlorophyll-b.Besides green plants, other organisms that perform
photosynthesis contain various other forms of chlorophyll such
as chlorophyll-c1, chlorophyll-c2, chlorophyll-d and chlorophyll-f.

Process Of Photosynthesis
At the cellular level, the photosynthesis process takes place in cell
organelles called chloroplasts. These organelles contain a green-coloured
pigment called chlorophyll, which is responsible for the characteristic
green colouration of the leaves.

As already stated, photosynthesis occurs in the leaves and the specialized

cell organelles responsible for this process is called the chloroplast.
Structurally, a leaf comprises a petiole, epidermis and a lamina. The lamina
is used for absorption of sunlight and carbon dioxide
during photosynthesis.
 Structure of Chloroplast. Note the presence of the thylakoid

“Photosynthesis Steps:”

• During the process of photosynthesis, carbon dioxide enters through the

stomata, water is absorbed by the root hairs from the soil and is carried to the
leaves through the xylem vessels. Chlorophyll absorbs the light energy from
the sun to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
• The hydrogen from water molecules and carbon dioxide absorbed from the air
are used in the production of glucose. Furthermore, oxygen is liberated out into
the atmosphere through the leaves as a waste product.
• Glucose is a source of food for plants that provide energy for growth and
development, while the rest is stored in the roots, leaves and fruits, for their
later use.
• Pigments are other fundamental cellular components of photosynthesis. They
are the molecules that impart colour and they absorb light at some specific
wavelength and reflect back the unabsorbed light. All green plants mainly
contain chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoids which are present in the
thylakoids of chloroplasts. It is primarily used to capture light energy.
Chlorophyll-a is the main pigment.

The process of photosynthesis occurs in two stages:

• Light-dependent reaction or light reaction

• Light independent reaction or dark reaction
Stages of Photosynthesis in Plants depicting the two phases – Light reaction and Dark
reaction

Light Reaction of Photosynthesis (or) Light-dependent

Reaction

• Photosynthesis begins with the light reaction which is carried out only during
the day in the presence of sunlight. In plants, the light-dependent reaction
takes place in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
• The Grana, membrane-bound sacs like structures present inside the thylakoid
functions by gathering light and is called photosystems.
• These photosystems have large complexes of pigment and proteins molecules
present within the plant cells, which play the primary role during the process of
light reactions of photosynthesis.
• There are two types of photosystems: photosystem I and photosystem II.
• Under the light-dependent reactions, the light energy is converted to ATP and
NADPH, which are used in the second phase of photosynthesis.
• During the light reactions, ATP and NADPH are generated by two electron-
transport chains, water is used and oxygen is produced.

The chemical equation in the light reaction of photosynthesis can be

reduced to:

2H2O + 2NADP+ + 3ADP + 3Pi → O2 + 2NADPH + 3ATP

Dark Reaction of Photosynthesis (or) Light-independent
Reaction

• Dark reaction is also called carbon-fixing reaction.

• It is a light-independent process in which sugar molecules are formed from
the water and carbon dioxide molecules.
• The dark reaction occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast where they utilize the
NADPH and ATP products of the light reaction.
• Plants capture the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through stomata and
proceed to the Calvin photosynthesis cycle.
• In the Calvin cycle, the ATP and NADPH formed during light reaction drive the
reaction and convert 6 molecules of carbon dioxide into one sugar molecule or
glucose.

The chemical equation for the dark reaction can be reduced to:

3CO2 + 6 NADPH + 5H2O + 9ATP → G3P + 2H+ + 6 NADP+ + 9 ADP + 8 Pi

* G3P – glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

Calvin photosynthesis Cycle (Dark Reaction)

Importance of Photosynthesis
• Photosynthesis is essential for the existence of all life on earth. It serves a
crucial role in the food chain – the plants create their food using this process,
thereby, forming the primary producers.
• Photosynthesis is also responsible for the production of oxygen – which is
needed by most organisms for their survival.