Photosynthesis

The light dependent reactions are the first of the two-phase process of photosynthesis.  As the name suggests, light energy is required to perform light dependent reactions. The function of the light dependent reaction is to produce energy-carrying molecules such as ATP and NADPH for the next phase of photosynthesis.  

 

There are two types of light dependent reactions, cyclic and non cyclic electron flow. There are a few differences that will be explained in later slides, but both types of light reactions require sunlight and a proton reservoir.  The light dependent reactions take place on the thylakoid membrane. The process of producing ATP, which both cyclic and non-cyclic electron flows do, is called photophosphorylation.