Question

What would happen to the proton gradient created during photosynthesis if a genetic mutation rendered plastocyanin unable to bind electrons. MacBook Pro 8

Answer 1

Answer :

The light energy is absorbed by the excited electrons are passed on to the chain of electron carriers present within thylakoid membrane.

When the excited electron is passed from one carrier to the other carrier, energy is released.

This energy is utilised to pump protons from the the thylakoid membrane into the thylakoid space which creates the proton gradient.

During photosynthesis proton motive force is created by release or movement of protons into thylakoid lumen from the stroma.

The energy released during this movement is used for the formation of ATP molecules by ATP synthase, CFo​, CF1​ particles.

The net effect of these steps is to convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

The ATP and NADPH from the light-dependent reactions are used to make sugars in the next stage of photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle.

In the another form of the light reactions, called cyclic photophosphorylation, electrons follow a different, circular path and only ATP is produced.