Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
Complete the notes sheets below. Where you see a
blank (..), decide which word/phrase is
most appropriate.
What is photosynthesis?
Plants are : this means that they make their own
organic compounds using CO2. This is mostly achieved via

whereby

they

trap

energy

from

the

and it to energy
stored in the bonds of carbohydrates by splitting the H-O bonds in
water and combining the atoms produced with
CO2.
Save for a relatively small number of bacteria
which synthesize organic food molecules using chemicals (eg.
surrounding black smokers), all life on earth depends on the
energy trapped during .
Write down the word and symbol equations for
photosynthesis:

Word equation:
+
+

Symbol equation:
+
+

DEFINITION: Energy

****REMEMBER*** Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can

only be converted from one form to another.

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 2

ATP (Adenosine triphosphate)

ATP is a phosphorylated nucleotide. It is commonly referred to as
the universal . .

Add the following labels to the diagram below left

and then draw and label a simplified version
showing the basic structure to the right:
Adenine, Adenosine, Ribose, Phosphate groups.

ATP can be to form ADP and Pi (),

releasing 30.6 KJ.mol-1 of energy. This is a reversible reaction. ATP
is a -lived molecule which is constantly being
hydrolysed (using the enzyme ) and resynthesized
(using the enzyme .) .
ATP + H20 ADP + Pi (+approx. 34 KJ.mol-1)

ATP is derived from. We can tell this because the

sugar is.

Using ATP
ATP provides energy for processes such as:
a. ..: Moving ions and molecules against a
concentration gradient.
b. ..: Secretion of large molecules.
c. ..: Movement of large molecules into
cells.
d. ..: Synthesis of large molecules from
smaller ones.
e. ..: Preparing a cell for anaphase.
f. ..:
Powering
bacterial
flagella,
eukaryotic cilia, muscle contraction and microtubule motors
that transport organelles.

Forming ATP
ATP is formed from and . In
respiration, some ATP is formed during in the
cytoplasm,

but

the

majority

is

formed

(a
also occurs during photosynthesis).

in

the

process

that

In this process, reduced

hydrogen

acceptors

(NADPH

in

or

NADH/FADH2in) pass electrons along a series of

membrane-bound

carriers,

releasing

which is used to

small

amount

of

pump H + ions into

an

intermembrane/interior space. In the final step, H + ions flow down

the resulting and gradient,
driving the head of an ATP synthase molecule and catalysing the
formation of ATP from ADP and Pi (covered in detail in topic 7).
This is known as .

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet

Chloroplasts
Chloroplasts are large organelles containing stacks of membrane
discs called where the green pigment
() is found. The stacks themselves are known as
. The matrix surrounding these stacks is called
the . This contains the enzymes needed for the
production of .
Label: Stroma, Granum, Outer Membrane, Inner
Membrane, Thylakoid

Chlorophyll
There are 5 closely related pigments including
(blue-green),

(yellow-green)

and

the

(orange carotene and yellow xanthophyll). The

most

common

is

photosynthesising

,
plants,

though

which

having

is

found

different

in

all

pigments

ensures optimum use of energy. The pigments

are found bound to proteins on membranes. A
complex comprising a protein and its associated pigment
molecules are known as a

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet

ESSENTIALS
1. Oxidation and reduction
***REMEMBER*** OIL RIG

O.
I..
L.

R..
I
G.

Oxidation and reduction are coupled, since if one substrate

becomes oxidised, another must be reduced. Such reactions are
called REDOX reactions.

2. Photosynthesis is a multi-step process.

The multitude of reactions that take place from start to finish
can be summarised in two key stages:
a. Light-dependent

reactions

(take

place

produce

materials

which

can

reactions.

then

be

These

used

in

reactions

using

the

suns

the
occur
energy

on
to

the
split

molecules (a reaction),
passing the H atoms on to nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) (forming NADPH or

NADP).

produced in a process called .

is

also

b. Light-independent

reactions

).These
the

and

(take

place

reactions

use

produced

during the light- reactions. A series of

chemical reactions called the cycle
take place in the of a .
CO2 from the is to form
.

Label

the following in below diagram

Light-dependent reactions.
Products of the light-dependent reactions.
Light-independent reactions.
Takes place on the thylakoid membranes.
Takes place in the stroma.

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 5

PHOTOSYNTHESIS : THE LIGHT-DEPENDENT
REACTIONS
Complete the notes sheets below. Where you see a
blank (..), decide which word/phrase is
most appropriate.
Evidence supporting the 2-stage photosynthesis
theory
1. In experiments involving chloroplasts, both ..
and .. have been found to limit the rate of
photosynthesis. As light-dependent chemical reactions get
the energy they need from .., this strongly
implies that another set of light-independent reactions are
occurring involving temperature-sensitive .. .
2. Plants given alternating light and dark periods produce more
carbohydrates than those in .. only. This
implies that (in light only) there must be an inhibitory effect
(on ..) of a build-up of product from the light.. reactions that is slowing the rate of a second
set of light-.. reactions.

The light-dependent reactions

The

light-dependent

reactions

take

place

on

the

..where photosystems (comprising ..

and a protein) facilitate the ..of a hydrogen
carrier

(..)

and

..resulting

in

the

production of ..

The photosystems
PSI and PSII form the distinct complexes, each of which is
responsible for absorbing a different ..of light
dependent on its combination of ..pigments (700nm
for .. and 680nm for ..). PSI particles
are primarily found on the ..lamellae, while PSII
particles are on the .. .

Cyclic photophosphorylation
Involves only PS... .
Produces .. .
1. When a photon of light hits a chlorophyll
molecule in PSI, one of its electrons is
boosted

to

..

.. state and captured by

an

..

acceptor.

From

here the electron is passed along an

..

..

.. giving up energy at
each stage.
2. The energy

given

..

up drives proton pumps to

ions

(produced

during

move

..

photophosphorylation) into the .., where a

.. and .. gradient is established.
3. .. allows ATP .. enzymes to
convert ADP and .. into .. .

4. The ..is fed back to the

original

(but

now

strongly

oxidising) ..molecule
to complete the cycle.

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 6

Non-cyclic photophosphorylation
Involves both .. and.. .
Requires an input of .. .
Produces ..and.. .

1. When photosystem II absorbs

light, an electron excited to a
higher ..

level is

captured by an ..
..
..
now

..

The

chlorophyll is
very
agent;

strong
its

electron hole must be filled. A photolytic enzyme attached

to Photosystem .. extracts electrons from the
OH- ions formed from the spontaneous dissociation of water
(..

..

+.. ) and

supplies them to PSII, replacing each lost .. .

2. ..atoms released combine to form molecular
oxygen. This is a .. product, but one that
accounts for the oxygen in the air we .. .
.. ions are used in the .. of NADP.

..OH-..e-+..H2O+..O2
3. The high energy electron passes along an
..

..

.. (driving the production of

..) and is picked up by
... When photons hit PSI the
electron is .., but this time
(rather

than

passing

along

another

electron transport chain) the electron is

picked up by the acceptor .. (along with free
H+ ions from the splitting of ..).
4. This .. the NADP (catalysed by ..
..),

allowing

it

to

pass

into

the

.. reactions as a .. agent.
NADP+.. +..NADPH

light-

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 7

SUMMARY OF NON-CYCLIC
PHOTOPHOSPHORYLATION

AN OVERVIEW OF CYCLIC AND NON-CYCLIC

PHOTOPHOSPHORYLATION

Comparison of cyclic and non-cyclic

photophosphorylation
Cyclic
PS involved
Takes place in
Requires water?
Enzymes
involved?
Involves
chemiosmosis?
ATP produced?
NADPH
produced?

Non-cyclic

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet 8

PHOTOSYNTHESIS : THE LIGHT-INDEPENDENT
REACTIONS

Complete the notes sheets below. Where you see a

blank (..), decide which word/phrase is
most appropriate.
The light-independent reactions use the
reducing power of and the
chemical energy stored in
(produced during the light-
reactions). A series of reactions (the
Cycle) takes place in the
of

chloroplast.

Carbon

dioxide

from

the

is to carbohydrates in a series of
-controlled reactions.

1. CARBON

FIXATION:

Molecules

of

from the
air combine with (..C)
ribulosebisphosphate (). The is
now said to be . The highly abundant
ribulosebisphosphate

carboxylase/oxygenase

() is responsible for catalysing this step. (..C)

Glycerate-3-phosphate () forms from a highly
unstable ..C intermediate.
2. REDUCTION: The molecules of (..C) GP are phosphorylated
using ATP, which destabilises the
molecule

and

provides

the

required

to

the GP to (3C)
glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
()
reducing

agent

using

the

The

is

back to NADP.
3. REGENERATION OF RuBP: Most of the (..C) GALP passes
through a series of steps to regenerate (..C)

using

some

during

of

the

produced

the

light-

reactions.
4. Some

is
converted
glucose.

It

into

(..C)

takes

several

turns

of

the

to produce 1 molecule of glucose.

The entire Calvin Cycle:

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: A SUMMARY

Photosynthesis Summary

Unit 13- Photosynthesis-Worksheet

Explain the steps in the light dependent reaction below
Photo-activation of Photosystem II

Photolysis of water

Electron transport

Cyclic phosphorylation

Non-cyclic phosphorylation

Photoactivation of Photosystem I

Reduction of NADP+

Draw a diagram summarizing the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis

.
Explain phosphorylation in terms of chemiosmosis

Explain the roles of the following in the light independent reaction

RuBP

Reduction of glycerate-3-phosphate to GALP

NADPH + H+

ATP

Regeneration of RuBP

Synthesis of carbohydrate

Describe two ways that photosynthesis can be measured directly

Describe one way that photosynthesis can be measured indirectly

Outline the effects of the following on the rate of photosynthesis and explain the concept
of limiting factors with reference to each
Temperature

Light intensity

Carbon dioxide concentration

Multiple Choice Quiz Photosynthesis

1 The light reaction of photosynthesis does not include
A) chemiosmosis
B) oxygen liberation
C) charge separation
D) electron transport
2 The final product of the Calvin cycle is
A) RuPB
B) PGA
C) ATP
D) G3P
3 Photosynthesis takes place in the membranes of small sacs called
A) thylakoids
B) grana
C) photosystems
D) photons
4 The dark reaction in photosynthesis is limited by
A) Co2, temperature, and light
B) Co2, light, and water
C) water, temperature, and Co2
D) oxygen, water, and temperature
5 Colors of light most useful in photosynthesis are
A) green, yellow, and orange

B) red, violet, and blue

C) infrared, red, and yellow
D) red, white, and blue
6 During what stage of photosynthesis is O2 produced?
A) cyclic photophosphorylation
B) the light-dependent reactions involving photosystems I and II
C) carbon fixation
D) the Krebs cycle
E) O2 is not produced during photosynthesis
7 The pigment molecules responsible for photosynthesis are located in the
A) mitochondria
B) cytoplasm of the cell
C) stroma of the chloroplast
D) thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast
E) all of the above

8 Both carotenoids and chlorophylls

A) are pigments
B) absorb photons of all energy ranges
C) contain porphyrin rings
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
9 Which of the following is the correct sequence for the movement of
electrons during the light-dependent reactions of plants?
A) P680 ----> P700 ----> water ----> NADP+
B) water ----> P700 ----> NADP+----> P680
C) P700 ----> P680 ----> NADP+----> water
D) P680 ----> water ----> P700 ----> NADP+
E) water ----> P680 ----> P700 ----> NADP+
BONUS QUESTION 10 what pigment is used in human vision?
A) chlorophyll a
B) beta-carotene
C) retinal
D) vitamin A
E) ferredoxin
11 During what stage of photosynthesis are ATP and NADPH converted to
ADP + Pi and NADP+?
A) the light-dependent reactions
B) the light-independent reactions
C) both of the above
D) none of the above

12 Water vapor exits and CO2 enters a leaf through the

A) stomata
B) grana
C) porphyrin rings
D) photons
E) stroma
13 High-energy photons
A) have long wavelengths
B) have short wavelengths
C) are more likely to produce red light than blue light
D) cannot be absorbed
14 Light that is visible to humans occupies what part of the electromagnetic
spectrum?
A) the entire upper half
B) the entire lower half
C) a small portion in the middle
D) the entire spectrum
E) visible light is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum
15 During photosynthesis, photons raise electrons to higher energy levels.
These excited electrons belong to what compound?
A) H2O
B) ATP
C) RuBP
D) glucose
E) chlorophyll
16 Which of the following occurs during the light-dependent reactions of
plants?
A) electron transport
B) chemiosmosis
C) splitting of water
D) all of the above
E) none of the above
17 The oxygen that is released as O2 during photosynthesis came from
_____________ molecules.
A) carbon dioxide
B) water
C) glucose
D) chlorophyll
E) ATP

18. Describe how the structure of a chloroplast is related to

its functions. [9]

ANSWER SHEET
1mark each except the bonus question.
1

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

10
*

18. Describe how the structure of a chloroplast is related to its

functions. [9] 9700/41/O/N/11

1 How many carbon atoms are in a molecule of RuBP?

A) zero
B) one
C) two
D) three
E) five
2 Which of the following is mismatched?
A) Photosystem I - uses the P700 molecule in its photocenter
B) PGA - a 3-carbon compound
C) antenna complex - contains hundreds of pigment molecules
D) CAM plants - open their stomata during the day and close them at night
to avoid photorespiration
E) C4 plants - expend ATP to concentrate CO2 in bundle-sheath cells to
avoid photorespiration
3 Which of the following statements about photosynthesis is true?
A) the light-dependent reactions can occur only in the light, the lightindependent reactions only in the dark
B) photorespiration is more efficient at producing glucose than is
photosynthesis
C) the light-dependent reactions produce the energy-rich compounds that
are used to run the light-independent reactions
D) all of the above are true

4 Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship

between photosynthesis and cellular respiration?
A) photosynthesis occurs only in autotrophs; cellular respiration occurs only
in heterotrophs
B) photosynthesis uses solar energy to convert inorganics to energy-rich
organics; respiration breaks down energy-rich organics to synthesize ATP
C) photosynthesis involves the oxidation of glucose; respiration involves
the reduction of CO2
D) the primary function of photosynthesis is to use solar energy to
synthesize ATP; the primary function of cellular respiration is to break down
ATP and release energy
E) photosynthesis and cellular respiration occur in separate, specialized
organelles; the two processes cannot occur in the same cell at the same
time
5 Production of one molecule of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde requires how
many turns of the Calvin cycle?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 6
E) 12

6 To reduce six molecules of carbon dioxide to glucose via photosynthesis,

how many molecules of NADPH and ATP are required?
A) 6 NADPH and 6 ATP
B) 12 NADPH and 12 ATP
C) 12 NADPH and 18 ATP
D) 18 NADPH and 12 ATP
E) 24 NADPH and 18 ATP
7 The primary form of sugar transported from the site of photosynthesis to
the rest of the plant is:
A) glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate
B) glucose
C) fructose
D) ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate
E) sucrose
8 Rubisco:
A) catalyzes the carboxylation of CO2 to ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate.
B) initiates photorespiration when the CO2/O2 ratio is low.
C) catalyzes the reduction of two molecules of PGAL to form glucose.
D) all of the above (a-c).
E) a and b, but not c.
9 The immediate products of C3 and C4 photosynthesis are, respectfully:
A) ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate; malic acid
B) malate; carbon dioxide
C) 3-phosphoglycerate; oxaloacetic acid
D) glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate; phospho-enol-pyruvate (PEP)

E) malic acid; glucose

10 Light-driven electron transport in the chloroplast pumps H+ into the
intermembrane space between the outer and inner membranes.
A) True
B) False
11 CO2 fixation occurs within the stroma.
A) True
B) False
12 If you know the absorption spectrum of a pigment, you can predict the
pigment's color.
A) True
B) False
13 For every CO2 molecule fixed by photosynthesis, one molecule of O2 is
produced.
A) True
B) False

14 Light is required for the light dependent reactions because

A) it is the source for electrons
B) it splits the water molecule
C) it energizes electrons in the reaction center
D) it splits ATP molecules which generates the energy necessary to power
the light independent reactions
E) none of the above
15 Which of the following organisms have the greatest problem with
photorespiration?
A) C4 plants
B) heterotrophs
C) C3 plants
D) CAM plants
E) purple sulfur bacteria
16 What energy-rich organic compound is produced as a result of the Calvin
cycle?
A) NADPH
B) CO2
C) ATP
D) H2O
E) glucose

17. Describe the structure of photosystems and explain

how a photosystem functions in cyclic
photophosphorylation. [9] 9700/04/O/N/07

ANSWER SHEET
1mark each.
1

11

12

13

14

15

16

10

17. Describe the structure of photosystems and explain how a

photosystem
functions in cyclic photophosphorylation. [9] 9700/04/O/N/07