photosynthesis .mov

The photosynthesis process is a unique process which allows plants to produce energy. It is the only process on earth that converts light energy into chemical energy. The process all begins when a photon of light, of the appropriate wavelength, hits the chlorophyll molecule. The chlorophyll molecule absorbs the energy from the photon, but loses one electron in the process. The oxidized chlorophyll must now replace the lost electron. The accessory protein, located in the thylakoid membrane grabs an electron from a nearby water molecule. As a result, the water molecule becomes unstable and falls apart. During this stage, photolysis takes place and oxygen is given off. The oxygen proceeds to leave the thylakoid space and the electron is passed to the cytochrome. The cytochrome then pumps protons from the stroma across the thylakoid memberane. There is now a constant supply of protons from photolysis and the excited cytochromes. In addition, there is also a constant supply of water molecules due to the aqueous environment in the thylakoid space. Due to the buildup of protons in the thylakoid space, a chemiosmotic gradient is created. When the thylakoid space reaches a pH of 5, the protein complex ATP synthase opens up a little tube. Protons from the thylakoid space rush through the tube and carry with them enormous energy, similar to how dams provide energy using water. The energy carried by the protons phosphorylates ADP into ATP.

By Emily Schadt, Luke Mulkern, Jonah Lundberg and Ryan Robertson

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• photosynthesis
• team

[Timmay123456789]

a good job, but more complicated and detailed images could have been used, and a bit more time to explain, with an audio explanation, would have been perfect.

[SamuelHammer]

Nice job on that you guys. A good explanation to a complex topic, all in just over a minute! Hope you had fun doing it!