What happens to excited electrons in photosynthesis?

Absorption of light excites an electron to a higher energy state, thus converting the energy of sunlight to potential chemical energy. High-energy electrons are then transferred through a series of membrane carriers, coupled to the synthesis of ATP and NADPH.

What happens to chlorophyll when it is hit by light?

A photon of light hits chlorophyll, causing an electron to be energized. The free electron travels through the electron transport chain, and the energy of the electron is used to pump hydrogen ions into the thylakoid space, transferring the energy into the electrochemical gradient.

What happens to the electrons in the pigments when sunlight is absorbed?

When light is absorbed by one of the pigments in photosystem II, energy is passed inward from pigment to pigment until it reaches the reaction center. The high-energy electron is passed to an acceptor molecule and replaced with an electron from water.

What happens when light energy excites electrons in photosystem?

Light energy (photons) excites the electrons causing them to break out of the photosystem and move up the energy level as they have gained more energy. The electron is very unstable and is therefore able to transfer to anothher molecule. Explain the part played by water in the production of ATP during photosynthesis.

What function does chlorophyll play in photosynthesis?

Chlorophyll’s job in a plant is to absorb light—usually sunlight. The energy absorbed from light is transferred to two kinds of energy-storing molecules. Through photosynthesis, the plant uses the stored energy to convert carbon dioxide (absorbed from the air) and water into glucose, a type of sugar.

What happens to electrons in chlorophyll when it is hit by light How does this relate to potential energy?

What happens to chlorophyll when it is hit by light? How does this relate to potential energy? – Photon strikes pigment, electron is excited, electrons/energy is passed to reaction center, another excited electron is transferred to primary electron acceptor.

What happens to the electrons in a chlorophyll molecule when light shines on it does the chlorophyll molecule ever run out of electrons explain your answer?

Does the chlorophyll molecule ever run out of electrons? When energy is absorbed by the electrons in chlorophyll, the electrons increase their energy level and move through the electron transport chain to photosystem 1. The electrons replace those that chlorophyll loses to the electron transport chain.

What is the relationship between sunlight and chlorophyll Why are both of these needed for photosynthesis?

The chlorophyll is needed to absorb the energy of the sun, and the sun is needed to energize the electrons found in chlorophyll molecules.

When electrons in the reaction center chlorophyll become so excited they escape to a nearby?

Electrons in the reaction-center chlorophyll molecule become so excited that they escape and move to a nearby electron-acceptor molecule.

When light energy excites electrons in photosystem 2 Where do the electrons replace?

chlorophyll
Photosynthetic eukaryotes and cyanobacteria have two photosystems – Photosystem II and Photosystem I. Light energy causes the excitation and loss of an electron from a PSII reaction center chlorophyll (P680). Water is oxidized to replace the lost electron, generating H+ ions and oxygen (O-2) ions.

For what purpose is sunlight used in the process of photosynthesis?

During photosynthesis, plants trap light energy with their leaves. Plants use the energy of the sun to change water and carbon dioxide into a sugar called glucose. Glucose is used by plants for energy and to make other substances like cellulose and starch. Cellulose is used in building cell walls.