Question

Explain the relationship between the light and dark reactions.

Short answer

The dark reactions don't occur if the light reactions don't take place.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of photosynthesis

• Photosynthesis is the foundation of competitive success in green plants.
• It is the process of creating organic compounds from inorganic raw materials with the help of sunlight.
• It converts light energy into chemical energy. In chlorophyll, photosynthesis produces carbohydrates by combining water and carbon dioxide.

Relationship between the light and dark reactions

• The light reaction is the first stage in photosynthesis that uses light to produce chemical energy.
• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) are created as chemical energy molecules.
• Dark reactions, the next step in photosynthesis, are light-independent reactions that use the energy provided by the molecules produced during light reactions to produce carbohydrate molecules such as glucose.
• The dark reactions are referred to as the Calvin cycle. It does not necessarily occur in the dark. It can also occur in the presence of light, but it is unaffected by it as it is light-independent.
• The chloroplast is where these consecutive events take place.
• In the thylakoid discs, light responses occur.
• The stroma is where the dark reactions occur.