Conclusion

Photosynthesis, the process that allows plants to produce glucose for use in cell respiration, depends on light. Light-dependent reactions in chloroplasts (thylakoid membranes) require the conversion of light energy into chemical energy. Light is absorbed by the pigments like chlorophyll (different pigments are responsible for different types of wavelengths). The steps are outlined below: 
  1. Photoactivation: pigments in photosystem absorb light energy and boost electrons to a higher energy level, electrons accepted by carrier protein in the electron transport chain. 
  2. PS2 replace lost electrons by taking new electrons from water. Water splits into electrons, hydrogen ions, and oxygen using light energy (photolysis). Oxygen byproduct is released (measured in this experiment to determine the relative rate of photosynthesis). 
  3. Electrons move to PS1, losing energy but pumps protons into the thylakoid. Protons flow from thylakoid into channel protein. ATP is formed. 
  4. Light energy absorption photoactivates PS1 exciting electrons. New electrons from PS2 replace displaced ones. Electrons at higher energy levels combine with \(NADP^+\) to become \(NADP+H^+\). \cite{walpole_merson-davies_dann_2017}