What do hydrogen ions do in photosynthesis?

What do hydrogen ions do in photosynthesis?

The energy generated by the hydrogen ion stream allows ATP synthase to attach a third phosphate to ADP, which forms a molecule of ATP in a process called photophosphorylation.

What is the significance of hydrogen ion gradient across the inner membrane of a thylakoid?

The role of a hydrogen gradient in ATP synthesis The concentration gradient between the inside and outside of the thylakoids is the energy source used by the ATP synthase. Protons pass through a channel of the CF0-CF1 ATP Synthase enzyme.

What do hydrogen ions do in the thylakoid?

The high concentration of hydrogen ions pumped into the inner thylakoid space (the thylakoid lumen) can then be used to make ATP by a process called chemiosmosis. The electron finally gets dumped on the molecule NADP (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) changing that molecule into NADPH.

Why do H+ ions need to get pumped across the thylakoid membrane?

As shown in Figure 3.2, photosystem II needs water to function. molecules in the thylakoid membrane absorb energy from sunlight. The energy is transferred to electrons (e–). Their energy is used to pump H+ ions from outside to inside the thylakoid against a concentration gradient.

What are the degradative reactions that break down molecules?

Degradative reactions are catabolic. This is because catabolism breaks down or degrades large organic molecules into simpler products. The energy that living organisms need to survive is derived from catabolic pathways like glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.

What happens if electron transport chain doesn’t work?

Uncoupling the electron transport chain would inhibit fermentation and decrease ATP production, a potentially dangerous situation. If electron transport doesn’t produce ATP, then much more sugar must be metabolized for energy needs. Very low production of ATP would be lethal.

What happens to the hydrogen ions that are split from the water molecules?

During photosynthesis, the energy from sunlight is used to split water molecules. What happens to the hydrogen ions that are split from the water molecules? They flow out of the thylakoid, providing energy to add a phosphate group to ADP.

What happens when the proton gradient is disrupted?

Explanation: ATP synthase, the enzyme responsible for ATP production on the inner mitochondrial membrane, depends on the proton gradient produced by the electron transport chain (ETC). If the proton gradient is disrupted, not as many ATP can be produced.

How are hydrogen ions allowed to pass through thylakoid membrane?

The hydrogen ions are allowed to pass through the thylakoid membrane through an embedded protein complex called ATP synthase. This same protein generated ATP from ADP in the mitochondrion.

Why does the build up of hydrogen ions form an electrochemical gradient?

The buildup of hydrogen ions in the thylakoid space forms an electrochemical gradient because of the difference in the concentration of protons (H +) and the difference in the charge across the membrane that they create.

What happens when water is split in photosynthesis?

To replace the electron in the reaction center, a molecule of water is split. This splitting releases an electron and results in the formation of oxygen (O 2) and hydrogen ions (H +) in the thylakoid space.

What happens in the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis?

The replacing of the electron enables the reaction center to respond to another photon. The oxygen molecules produced as byproducts find their way to the surrounding environment. The hydrogen ions play critical roles in the remainder of the light-dependent reactions.