BIOL 201 Anmol K.

Arora Bio 201 Section 6 TA: Lijing Bu Homework set #10 April 30, 2013

Spring 2013

1. Fluorescence is a property of light-absorbing molecules that can be utilized in many experimental laboratory techniques. Upon absorbing a specific wavelength of light, fluorescent molecules will emit light (fluoresce) at a distinct wavelength, which will be longer than the wavelength of the absorbed light (termed red shifted). Explain why the light emitted is at a longer wavelength than that absorbed. (Hint: Read and examine Figures 10.3 and 10.8). The light emitted is at a longer wavelength than that absorbed because some of the original photon's energy is transformed to heat. The electromagnetic radiation that is given off during fluorescence has lower energy, thus a longer wavelength than the original photon did. 2. In the first phase of photosynthesis, light-excited chlorophyll electrons are transferred to pheophytin to initiate an electron transport chain (ETC). (a) What is the name of the reaction center in which this occurs? Photosystem II (b) Describe where electrons are obtained to replace those transferred to the ETC and write the overall reaction for their generation. Photosystem II obtains electrons by oxidizing water. 2H2O --> 4H+ + 4e- + O2 (c) The result of the light-dependent phase of photosynthesis is the generation of which two energy-rich molecules? Oxygen and Protons 3. List and briefly describe the three phases of the Calvin cycle: (2 points) Fixation phase: CO2 reacts with RuBP; fixes carbon and produces two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. Reduction phase: 3-phosphoglycerate is phosphorylated by ATP, then reduced by electrons from NADPH. The product is phosphorylated sugar glyceraldehyde-3phosphate (G3P). Regeneration: The rest of the G3P keeps the cycle going by serving as a substrate for the third phase in the cycle: reactions that result in the regeneration of RuBP. 4. C4 photosynthesis mechanisms are used to increase CO2 concentration and improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. This requirement stems largely from the enzymatic activity of the Rubisco enzyme. Using Figure 10.19 as a reference, briefly describe how Rubiscos enzymatic properties necessitate these C4 cycles. Rubisco's enzymatic properties necessitate these 'C4 cycles' by reacting with CO2 during photosynthesis to produce two 3-phosphoglycerate, which are used in the calvin cycle. Also, by reacting with oxygen during photorespiration to produce one 3-phosphoglycerate, which is used in the calvin cycle, and one 2-phosphoglycerate that when processed, CO2 is released and ATP is used. Rubisco catalyzes competing reactions with very different outcomes.