How is light energy converted into chemical energy during photosynthesis?

How is light energy converted into chemical energy during photosynthesis?

• Answer:

  Light is captured by the chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of plant cells. More specifically: Each thylakoid membrane is made of photosystem I and II. Light hits photosystem II first, and the plant uses a water molecule and breaks it up. The released e- is used to boost it up to the ETC (electron transport chain) where ATP is produced. The energy is moved to photosystem I, which absorbs a different wavelength of light. It falls down the ETC to form NADP+ reluctase and ATP, which is then used by the Calvin's Cycle. The Calvin cycle uses CO2 from the envioroment and uses the NADP+ and ATP created by the light reaction to form NADPH and sugar through carbon fixation and reduction. Thus, light energy is converted into chemical energy (glucose).