Learn the reactants and products for each stage of photosynthesis, and where in the plant cell does each stage occur.

1: Light-dependent reactions:

Reactants: H2O, ADP, NADP

Products: O2, ATP, NADPH

Location: Thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts in cells of leaves

2: Light-independent reactions

Reactants: CO2, H2O, ATP, NADPH

Products: C6H12O6 (glucose), ADP, NADP

Location: Stroma of chloroplasts in leaf cells

Explanation:

Photosynthesis takes place in two stages:

1: Light-dependent reactions: This stage includes splitting of water in the presence of sunlight and release of electrons and oxygen gas. The electrons are channeled into the electron transport chain and result in the formation of ATP and NADPH. This stage includes photosystem I and II present in the thylakoid membrane. Hence, light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts and form ATP and NADPH.  

2: Light-independent reactions: Also called as Calvin cycle, the light-independent reactions use ATP and NADPH formed during light reactions of photosynthesis to fix CO2 into glucose. The enzymes of the Calvin cycle are present in the stroma of chloroplasts and hence, this stage of photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplast stroma.  

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