photosynthesis model

Photosynthesis Simulation

Background

The purpose of this simulation is to allow you to experiment with some of the main factors affecting photosynthesis. Photosynthesis in plants takes place within chloroplasts. The inner membranes of the chloroplasts (the thylakoid membrane) contain a series of proteins with light-sensitive pigments, like chlorophyll. As light strikes chlorophyll on chloroplasts, that energy from the light is transferred to move electrons on chlorophyll to a more energetic state. The series of proteins along the thylakoid membrane, and throughout the chloroplast, use these more energetic electrons to transfer energy to create glucose. The first phase of photosynthesis converts solar energy into chemical energy and is called the Light Reaction. The second phase, called the Calvin Cycle is where carbon fixation takes place. From www.sivabio.50webs.com/plastids.htm

During photosynthesis, after the energy has been transferred to synthesize NADPH and ATP, those molecules are used in the second phase of photosynthesis called the Calvin Cycle (also known as the dark reaction because it light is not required.) During the Calvin Cycle energy is transferred from ATP and NADPH molecules in the chloroplast to chemically react carbon dioxide with organic molecules. The energy transferred from ATP and NADPH to carbon dioxide and some organic molecules allow glucose to be made. This carbon fixation (chemically reacting inorganic carbon dioxide with organic molecules) is the purpose of photosynthesis. Light energy is used to make inorganic carbon dioxide into organic fuel to power cell processes.

The Photosynthesis Model allows you to track the amount of glucose produced, NADPH consumed, and ATP consumed during the Calvin Cycle.

Assumptions