Abstract
Photosynthesis is the process that enables higher plants, algae and a broad class of bacteria to transform light energy and store it in the form of energy‐rich organic molecules. In plants and algae, as well as some species of bacteria, photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, produces the molecular oxygen we breath and stores energy in biomass. In addition some bacteria use light energy to create energy‐rich molecules, but do not split water to produce oxygen. Photosynthesis is finely regulated to avoid damage caused by excess solar energy. At the same time, though, this regulation also decreases the efficiency of photosynthesis. Current research is aimed at understanding these responses to improve photosynthetic efficiency, thus increasing the production of food and fuel.
Key Concepts:
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Photosynthesis is the transformation of light energy to chemical energy by higher plants, algae and certain bacteria.
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In higher plants, the initial capture of light energy and conversion to the stable, high‐energy products of NADPH and ATP occurs within and around the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast. The NADPH and ATP produced are used by enzymes in the stroma to ‘fix’ carbon dioxide and produce carbohydrates.
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Although photosynthesis is driven by light, the photosynthetic apparatus must protect itself from excess solar energy which causes a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency.
Keywords: C2 photorespiration cycle; C3 photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle; C4 photosynthetic pathway and CAM; light‐harvesting complex; photosystem I; photosystem II