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48

The entire process of photosynthesis consists of a number of reactions. Where in the cell do each of these take place?

(a) Synthesis of ATP and NADPH ............ .

(b) Photolysis of water ............ .

(c) Fixation of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ ............

.

(d) Synthesis of sugar molecule ............ .

(e) Synthesis of starch ............ .

Explanation

(a) Synthesis of ATP and NADPH takes place in outer side of thylakoid membrane.

(b) Photolysis of water occurs in inner side of thylakoid membrane.

(c) Fixation of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ occurs in stroma of chloroplast.

(d) Synthesis of sugar molecule occurs in chloroplast.

(e) Synthesis of starch occurs in cytoplasm.

49
Which property of the pigment is responsible for its ability to initiate the process of photosynthesis? Why is the rate of photosynthesis higher in the red and blue regions of the spectrum of light?
Explanation
The chlorophyll pigments are present in the thylakoid membranes. They have the property of excitability and emits $e^{-}$in the excited stage, though this $e^{-}$is replaced and transferred by the $e^{-}$generated from splitting of water molecules. Red and Blue Light have maximum energy which a chlorophyll pigment absorbs and get excited and initiate the process of photosynthesis. Also, its wavelength are ( $400-700 \mathrm{~nm}$ ) i.e., between the Photosynthetic Active Radiation (PAR). Thus, the rate of photosynthesis is higher in blue and red light.
50
What can we conclude from the statement that the action and absorption spectrum of photosynthesis overlap? At which wavelength do they show peaks?
Explanation

Absorption Spectrum This depicts the absorption of light of different wavelength by chlorophyll-a, b, xanthophyll and carotenoids.

Action Spectrum This shows the rate of photosynthesis in the plant in the light of different wavelengths.

Super Imposed Absorption and Action Spectrum When we superimposed both action and absorption spectrum, it shows that in the region of red and blue light, the chlorophyll-a and $b$ harness the maximum light energy and are the main photosynthetic pigments. So, the rate of photosynthesis is high in these two regions. It shows maximum activity peak at wavelength (red light) i.e., $660-670 \mathrm{~nm}, 430-470 \mathrm{~nm}$ (blue) and $390-430 \mathrm{~nm}$ (violet).

51
Under what conditions are $C_4$ plants superior to $C_3$ ?
Explanation

$\mathrm{C}_4$ plants are advantageous in following ways

(i) These plants can carry out photosynthesis even at low concentration of $\mathrm{CO}_2$ in the atmosphere and in the shortage of water.

(ii) These plants can tolerate high $\mathrm{O}_2$ concentration and temperature as enzyme PEP carboxylase in $\mathrm{C}_4$ cycle in insensitive to $\mathrm{O}_2$ and do not show- photorespiration in comparison to the $\mathrm{C}_3$ plants, which start process of photorespiration and lose $\mathrm{CO}_2$ fixation in the form of glucose molecule.

Thus, $\mathrm{C}_4$ plants are superior to $\mathrm{C}_3$ plants.

52

In the figure given below, the black line (upper) indicates action spectrum for photosynthesis and the lighter line (lower) indicates the absorption spectrum of chlorophyll- $a$, answer the following

(a) What does the action spectrum indicate? How can we plot an action spectrum? Explain with an example.

(b) How can we derive an absorption spectrum for any substance?

(c) If chlorophyll- $a$ is responsible for light reaction of photosynthesis, why do the action spectrum and absorption spectrum not overlap?

Explanation

(a) The effectiveness of different wavelengths of light on photosynthesis is measured and the rate of photosynthesis is plotted. This is called the action spectrum of photosynthesis.

(b) Absorption of different wavelengths of light by a particular pigment is plotted and the graph is called the absorption spectra of that pigment.

(c) Chlorophyll-a is responsible for light reaction of photosynthesis, but the action spectrum and absorption spectrum do not overlap because, though chlorophyll-a is the main pigment responsible for absorption of light, other thylakoid pigments like chlorophyll-b, xanthophylls, carotenoid, which are accessory pigments, also absorb and transfer the energy to chlorophyll-a.

Indeed they not only enable a wider range of wavelength of incoming light to be utilised for photosynthesis but also protect chlorophyll-a from photooxidation.