* Photosynthesis is an energy conversion process: It converts light energy from the sun into chemical energy stored in the bonds of glucose (a sugar).
* Light-dependent reactions: The initial stages of photosynthesis, known as the light-dependent reactions, directly use light energy to:
* Split water molecules, releasing oxygen as a byproduct.
* Generate ATP (adenosine triphosphate), an energy carrier molecule.
* Produce NADPH, a reducing agent that carries electrons.
* Light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle): The ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent reactions are then used to power the Calvin cycle. This is where carbon dioxide is fixed into organic molecules, ultimately producing glucose.
Without light energy, the light-dependent reactions cannot occur, and the entire process of photosynthesis would grind to a halt.
