Bioquímica

Apuntes

•Introduction Photosynthesis is a biological process through which plants, algae, and certain bacteria convert sunlight into chemical energy. This process mainly occurs in leaves within chloroplasts, which contain the pigment chlorophyll. •General Equation and Phases **Illumination Phase** Location: Thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts. Requires: Light. Process: Light energy excites electrons in chlorophyll, leading to water photolysis (H₂O dissociates into H⁺ and O₂). Products: Oxygen (O₂) is released as a byproduct, while ATP and NADPH are produced for later use. Location: Stroma of the chloroplast. Does not require direct light. Process: Uses ATP and NADPH to convert CO₂ into organic compounds, mainly glucose. Key enzyme: RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase). **Dark Phase (Calvin Cycle)** This phase synthesizes organic molecules from CO₂, driven by products of the light phase. • Agronomic Significance Photosynthesis is essential for plant growth, providing the organic compounds needed for structure and function. It directly impacts agricultural yield, as higher photosynthetic rates lead to increased biomass and harvests. The goal...