Identify the molecules that participate in the light dependant reactions and tell what they do.
The molecules that participate in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis include:
1. Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is a green pigment found in the chloroplasts of plants and algae. It absorbs light energy and initiates the process of photosynthesis. There are two types of chlorophyll, chlorophyll-a and chlorophyll-b, each playing a specific role in capturing different wavelengths of light.
2. Photosystem II (PSII): PSII is a protein complex that contains chlorophyll molecules. It captures photons of light and converts their energy into chemical energy, which is further used to split water molecules and release oxygen as a byproduct.
3. Electron Transport Chain (ETC): The ETC is a series of protein complexes embedded in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast. It receives energized electrons from chlorophyll molecules and facilitates their movement along the chain. This process generates ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a molecule used for cellular energy, and also transfers electrons to photosystem I.
4. Photosystem I (PSI): PSI is another protein complex that contains chlorophyll molecules. It receives electrons from the ETC and further energizes them using light energy. These energized electrons are eventually passed onto the molecule NADP+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which is reduced to NADPH. NADPH is a high-energy molecule used in the subsequent reactions of photosynthesis.
In summary, chlorophyll, photosystems (PSII and PSI), and the electron transport chain all work together in the light-dependent reactions to capture light energy, extract electrons from water, generate ATP, and produce NADPH.