Here's why:
* Light energy is captured: Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of plant cells.
* Electron transport chain: This absorbed energy is used to power an electron transport chain, moving electrons through a series of proteins.
* Proton gradient: The movement of electrons creates a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane (the internal membrane system within chloroplasts).
* ATP synthesis: This proton gradient drives the production of ATP, the energy currency of cells, through a process called chemiosmosis.
In addition to ATP, the light-dependent reactions also produce NADPH. NADPH is another energy carrier molecule that will be used in the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle).
