Where in a plant leaf cell does a light-dependent reaction occur?
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2023 - Paper 1
Question 16
Where in a plant leaf cell does a light-dependent reaction occur?
A. stroma
B. mitochondrion
C. thylakoid membrane
D. chloroplast inner membrane
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Where in a plant leaf cell does a light-dependent reaction occur?
A - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 16 - 2023 - Paper 1
Step 1
C. thylakoid membrane
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Answer
The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts. During this process, chlorophyll absorbs light energy, which is then used to split water molecules (photolysis), producing oxygen as a byproduct and transferring energy to the electron transport chain. This process generates ATP and NADPH, which are critical for the subsequent light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) that take place in the stroma.