5.1.4

Cyclic Photophosphorylation

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Cyclic Photophosphorylation

There are two types of photophosphorylation that take place during the light-dependent reaction: cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. Here, we will look at cyclic photophosphorylation.

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Absorption of light by PSI

  • Cyclic photophosphorylation only involves PSI.
  • The process is initiated when light energy is absorbed by PSI.
  • Light energy excites electrons in the chlorophyll of PSI and the electrons are moved to a higher energy level (they are high-energy electrons).
  • This is photoionisation of chlorophyll.
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Electron transport chain

  • High-energy electrons are released from the chlorophyll and transferred to an electron carrier.
  • The electrons are transferred along a chain of electron carriers in the electron transport chain (ETC).
  • Unlike in non-cyclic photophosphorylation, the electrons are not transferred from PSII to PSI.
  • Instead the electrons cycle continuously through the electron carriers to PSI.
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The proton gradient

  • As the electrons move down the ETC, they lose energy.
  • This energy pumps protons from the stroma into the thylakoids.
    • This is the same as in non-cyclic photophosphorylation.
  • As protons build up inside the thylakoids, a proton gradient forms across the thylakoid membrane.
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Chemiosmosis

  • The protons diffuse down the concentration gradient across the thylakoid membrane through the ATP synthase enzyme.
  • As protons diffuse through the ATP synthase, energy is released.
  • This energy converts ADP and inorganic phosphate to ATP.
  • This process is called chemiosmosis.
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Comparing cyclic and non-cyclic

  • In cyclic photophosphorylation:
    • ATP is produced.
    • No reduced NADP is produced.
    • Electrons are continuously recycled.
    • Photolysis does not take place.
  • In non-cyclic photophosphorylation:
    • ATP and reduced NADP are produced.
    • Electrons in PSII are replaced by photolysis.

Jump to other topics

1Biological Molecules

2Cells

3Substance Exchange

4Genetic Information & Variation

5Energy Transfers (A2 only)

6Responding to Change (A2 only)

7Genetics & Ecosystems (A2 only)

8The Control of Gene Expression (A2 only)

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