The only thing my biology teacher told us about the NADP (in photosynthesis light dependent reaction) is that it's a bus driver. Why is it a bus driver? Is it cos it collects the H+ ion into the light independent reaction (NADPH) then "drops" it off and returns back to the light dependent reaction?
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http://biology-forums.com/index.php
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You have it exactly right. It carrys the H+ charge
The analogy of NADP as a bus driver is a helpful way to understand its role in the process of photosynthesis. Let me explain in more detail:
NADP stands for Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate. It is an important molecule involved in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. During these reactions, light energy is used to produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH.
NADP acts as a carrier molecule, shuttling high-energy electrons and H+ ions (protons) between different components of the light-dependent reactions. In this analogy, think of the high-energy electrons and H+ ions as passengers waiting to board the "bus" (NADP). The NADP "bus driver" picks up these passengers (accepts electrons and H+ ions) at one location, in this case, the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast during the light-dependent reactions.
Once the electrons and H+ ions are on board, NADP becomes NADPH. Now, the "bus driver" transports these passengers to another location, which is the site of the light-independent reactions (also called the Calvin cycle) within the stroma of the chloroplast.
In the light-independent reactions, NADPH is used as a source of high-energy electrons and H+ ions to help convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into glucose. The NADPH "bus driver" essentially "drops off" its passengers (donates electrons and H+ ions), playing a vital role in the energy-requiring reactions of carbon fixation and sugar synthesis.
After delivering its passengers, NADP (now without the extra electrons and H+ ions) returns to the site of the light-dependent reactions to pick up more passengers (accept more electrons and H+ ions) and continue the cycle.
So, in summary, the analogy of NADP as a bus driver helps to visualize its function as a carrier molecule that shuttles high-energy electrons and H+ ions between the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions during photosynthesis.