Where do the light-dependent reactions occur in the chloroplast?
Where do the light-dependent reactions occur in the chloroplast?
Answer
The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. These membranes are organized into structures called grana, which are stacks of thylakoids. The thylakoids contain chlorophyll and other pigments that capture light energy, initiating the process of converting solar energy into chemical energy stored in molecules like ATP and NADPH.During these reactions, light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll, exciting electrons that are then transferred through an electron transport chain embedded in the thylakoid membrane. This process also involves the splitting of water molecules (photolysis), which releases oxygen as a byproduct. The overall goal of the light-dependent reactions is to harness energy from sunlight to produce ATP and NADPH for use in the subsequent light-independent reactions, often referred to as the Calvin cycle, which take place in the stroma of the chloroplasts
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