C1.3 Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis converts light energy into chemical energy in glucose, releasing O₂ from photolysis of water. Pigments separable by chromatography (Rf). Three limiting factors (light, CO₂, temperature) shape rate; FACE experiments predict future plant response. HL: Calvin cycle fixes CO₂ via Rubisco (RuBP + CO₂ → 2 GP → TP using NADPH + ATP) — RuBP regenerated. Thylakoid light-dependent reactions: photosystems with antenna pigments, photolysis at PSII (O₂ origin), chemiosmosis via H⁺ gradient, NADP⁺ reduction at PSI; light + dark reactions are interdependent.