Explore how chlorophyll absorbs light and excites electrons, converting light energy into chemical energy in carbon compounds through photosynthesis in IB Biology HL C1.3.1.
In ecosystems, energy is used to convert inorganic compounds into organic matter. Energy enters ecosystems through producers.
Explain the processes by which light energy is converted into chemical energy.
a. plants/producers/autotrophs convert light to chemical energy by photosynthesis
b. chlorophyll/photosynthetic pigments absorb light
c. electrons are excited/raised to higher energy level
d. excited electrons pass along chain of electron carriers
e. energy from electrons used to pump protons across thylakoid membrane/into thylakoid space
f. chemiosmosis/proton gradient used to make ATP
g. ATP synthase generates ATP
h. pigments arranged in photosystems
i. electrons from Photosystem II flow via the electron chain to Photosystem I
j. electrons from Photosystem I are used to reduce NADP
k. ATP and reduced NADP used in the light independent reactions/Calvin cycle
I. carbohydrate/glucose/carbon compounds produced containing energy