Different Types of Photosynthesis

As we all know, the Sun is the primary source of energy for all living things. The process through which plants absorb the Sun’s energy and use it to generate food is known as photosynthesis. Let’s learn more about this process, which is critical for the survival of all living creatures.

Photosynthesis is the conversion of solar energy into chemical energy by autotrophs such as plants, algae, and some microbes. Using carbon dioxide created by all breathing species, this process recycles oxygen into the atmosphere.

Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the conversion of sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into food (sugars) and oxygen by plants, algae, and certain microorganisms. Here’s a look at the fundamentals of photosynthesis and associated studies to help with the development of clean fuels and renewable energy sources.

Types of Photosynthesis

There are two types of Photosynthetic Processes:

Oxygenic Photosynthesis

The Sun’s light energy transfers electrons from water to carbon dioxide to make carbohydrates in this type of photosynthesis. During this transfer, carbon dioxide is “reduced,” or gets electrons, while water is “oxidized”, or loses electrons. This oxidation-reduction cycle results in the production of oxygen as well as carbohydrates.

Respiration is counterbalanced by oxygenic photosynthesis. Respiration is the process by which all breathing creatures produce carbon dioxide, whereas photosynthesis is the process by which oxygen is reintroduced into the atmosphere.

Anoxygenic Photosynthesis

No oxygen is created as a byproduct, and the species that digest it are mostly found in aquatic settings.

The following is the overall reaction of Oxygenic Photosynthesis:

6H2O+12H2O   Light →   C6H12O6+6H2O+6H20

Using light energy, six carbon dioxide molecules combine with twelve water molecules to generate a single carbohydrate molecule (glucose). Six oxygen and water molecules are also created.

Essential Things for Photosynthesis

Pigments

Pigments are substances that give plants, algae, and microorganisms their color. They are also in charge of properly capturing sunlight. Different colored pigments absorb different wavelengths of light. The green pigment chlorophyll is the most significant of all pigments. Blue and red light can be trapped by these pigments. Chlorophyll is divided into three groups: chlorophyll A, chlorophyll B, and chlorophyll C.

The grana and stroma areas of the chloroplasts are where photosynthesis takes place. The grana are made up of disc-shaped membranes arranged like plates in columns. It is the organelle’s innermost section. The individual discs, known as thylakoids, are responsible for electron transmission. The empty gaps between grana columns are known as stroma.

Antennae

Antennae are made up of a large number of pigment molecules, ranging from 100 to 5,000. These structures are responsible for efficiently capturing photons from the Sun and transferring them to chlorophyll pigments.

When a chlorophyll pigment expels an electron and the electron goes to an appropriate recipient, the conversion of light energy to chemical energy is accomplished.

Reaction Centers

Pigments and proteins operate as reaction centers, converting light energy into chemical energy and initiating electron transport.

The reaction center, where the energy is stored, is chlorophyll A. Chlorophyll B, xanthophylls, and carotenoids molecules make up the antenna pigments, which capture photons and transport their energy to the reaction center.

Carbon Fixation

This component of the light-independent process converts Carbon dioxide from the air into glucose building blocks. RuBisCo (ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase) is a stroma enzyme that combines a five-carbon molecule of RuBP (ribulose bisphosphate) with a molecule of carbon dioxide. A six-carbon molecule is formed, which is then broken down into two three-carbon molecules (3-phosphoglycerate).

Sugar Reduction

This stage involves the use of ATP and NADPH produced by light reactions. Both ATP and NADPH give one hydrogen atom 3-phosphoglycerate, resulting in two molecules of the simple sugar G3P. (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate). To make one molecule of glucose, two molecules of G3P are combined. This stage of the light-independent processes is commonly referred to as reduction as electrons are added (or reducing the sugar).

Regeneration

Six molecules of carbon dioxide are involved at a time in the Calvin cycle, resulting in twelve molecules of G3P. Only two of these, however, are used to make a glucose molecule; the others are recycled back into RuBP to keep the Calvin cycle going. The light-independent processes (or Calvin cycle) have as their ultimate goal the assembly of a glucose molecule.

Conclusion

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all processes that allow life to survive on the planet. It is critical not just for food security, but also for sustaining the natural ecological balance. As a result, we must study the reactions that occur within it. Photosynthesis, light-dependent and light-independent processes. 

Respiration is counterbalanced by oxygenic photosynthesis. Respiration is the process by which all breathing creatures produce carbon dioxide, whereas photosynthesis is the process by which oxygen is reintroduced into the atmosphere.