Photosynthesis

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosynthesis

Where does the energy come from that sustains all life?

The Sun!!
Well most of it anyway
Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Respiration vs. Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis and respiration as complementary processes in the living world. Photosynthesis uses the energy of sunlight to produce sugars and other organic molecules. These molecules in turn serve as food. Respiration is a process that uses O2 and forms CO2 from the same carbon atoms that had been taken up as CO2 and converted into sugars by photosynthesis. In respiration, organisms obtain the energy that they need to survive. Photosynthesis preceded respiration on the earth for probably billions of years before enough O2 was released to create an atmosphere rich in oxygen. (The earth's atmosphere presently contains 20% O2.)
Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Cellular Respiration -vs- Photosynthesis

Exergonic and endergonic reactions of metabolism

Exergonic: C6H12O6 + 6O2 6CO2 + 6H2O G = -686 kcal/mole Cellular respiration! Provides the energy to run cell processes Endergonic: 6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 G = +686 kcal/mole Photosynthesis! Allows plants to make energy rich sugars from energy poor molecules

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Overview of Photosynthesis

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O G = + 686 kcal/mol Photosynthesis, like cellular respiration, is a series of redox reactions!

What is being oxidized and what is being reduced in the summarizing equation above?

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Historical perspective
Early thinking: O2 released came from the CO2 CO2 C + O2 C + H2O CH2O sugar Water was added to the carbon to make sugar

van Neils experiments with the sulfur bacteria showed that the bacteria used CO2 but did NOT release O2 ...he suggested that plants split water as a source of e- and H+

Scientists used radioactive isotopes to test this idea

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

18Oxygen

(Heavy Oxygen) Isotope Experiment

Experiment #2

Experiment #1

CO2 CO2

CO2
CO2

CO2
CO2 CO2

C18O
C18O2 C18O H218O
2

C18O2 C18O2

C18O2
C18O2

H2O

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

18O

Isotope Experiment

Hypothesis: If CO2 is being oxidized

C18O2

H218O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

Can you predict where the heavy oxygen will end up in each case?
Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

18O

Isotope Experiment

Hypothesis: If H2O is being oxidized

C18O2

H218O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

Can you predict where the heavy oxygen will end up in each case?
Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

The Actual Results!!

C18O2

H218O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

18O

So..its the water thats being oxidized!

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Tracking Atoms in Photosynthesis

Reactants

6 CO2

12 H2O

Products

C6H12O6

6H2O

6O2

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

What does this suggest about photosynthesis?

The sugars that result from photosynthesis are produced by adding the hydrogen ions and electrons from water to carbon dioxide, NOT by splitting CO2 and adding water!

H+ and e-

oxidized

6CO2 + 12H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O

reduced
Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Plant Photosynthesis

internal leaf structure

outer membrane inner membrane

chloroplasts

thylakoid

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

The stages of photosynthesis

Light Dependent Reactions

Occurs along the thylakoid membrane

this is where H2O is oxidized. chemiosmotic production of ATP! electron carrier (NADPH) is synthesized

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

The stages of photosynthesis

Light Independent Reactions

Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast.

Where CO2 is fixed into sugars!

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

How plants harness energy from sunlight

Photosynthetic pigments Chlorophylls a the main photosynthetic pigment Accessory pigments.. Chlorophyll b Carotenoids

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosynthetic pigments are arranged as photosystems

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

What wavelengths of light do you think plants use the least in photosynthesis?

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosystems use some wavelengths of light but reflect others

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosystem
From the Photosystem, e- are passed along an Electron Transport Chain.. The Photosynthetic Electron Transport Chain (PETC)

Photon Reaction Center

Light Harvesting Pigments

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosystem

Photon

PETC

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosynthetic Electron Transfer Chain (PETC)

series of electron carriers which take electrons from photosystem, and.. ultimately carry electrons to NADP+

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005

Photosystems

Experiments in the 1940s suggested that light photons are absorbed at 2 different points along the same PETC. In fact, there are two Photosystems in operation

Supramolecular Chemistry, UAF, 2005