Photophosphorylation

Definition

Photophosphorylation is the process of converting light energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP during photosynthesis. It occurs in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and involves electron transport chains.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. There are two types of photophosphorylation: cyclic and non-cyclic.
2. Non-cyclic photophosphorylation produces both ATP and NADPH, whereas cyclic photophosphorylation only produces ATP.
3. The primary pigment involved in photophosphorylation is chlorophyll.
4. In non-cyclic photophosphorylation, water molecules are split to release oxygen as a byproduct.
5. Photophosphorylation is an essential step in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Review Questions

• What are the main products of non-cyclic photophosphorylation?
• Where does photophosphorylation take place within a cell?
• How do cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation differ?

Related terms

Chlorophyll:

A green pigment responsible for absorbing light energy for photosynthesis.

Thylakoid Membrane: The site within chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions occur.

Electron Transport Chain:

A series of protein complexes that transfer electrons to generate ATP.