Photosynthesis is a process used by plants in which energy from sunlight is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into molecules needed for growth. These molecules include sugars, enzymes and chlorophyll.
In this weeks lectures we explored the relationships between living things and energy transfer. In this lab we will more specifically consider the relationships between energy and mass transfer in photosynthetic carbon gain. For the next part of this lab we will utilize the ExPASy (Expert Protein Analysis System) proteomics server of the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB). Go to the and search for "Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase". From the description answer the following questions:
Photosynthesis captures energy for life on Earth. Many chemicals are made to allow life processes to occur in plants. These chemicals can move in and out of cells by the process of diffusion. Osmosis is a specific type of diffusion.
Whats the point? So what, we can make mathmatical models of enzyme reactions driving photosynthesis. Why do you think we should care about all of this? (If you are having trouble I suggest you take a deep breath!)
From here select "Online Labs" from the menu list on the left of the screen. Then select: "Virtual Lab 5 - How Do Proteins Help Chlorophyll Carry Out Photosynthesis?"
In Photosynthesis, photons of light are absorbed by chlorophyll molecules, causing them to donate a high-energy electron that is put to work making NADPH and pumping protons to produce ATP. In this section of the lab you will examine recent evidence that proteins embedded in the thylakoid membranes within the chloroplasts of photosynthetic organisms are acting as an antenna to facilitate light capture.