What is the significance of the light-dependent reactions?

What is the significance of the light-dependent reactions?

Correct Answer: Light-dependent reactions generate ATP and NADPH.

Step 1: Understand that light-dependent reactions occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
Step 2: Know that these reactions require sunlight to take place.
Step 3: Learn that sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll, a green pigment in plants.
Step 4: Realize that the absorbed light energy is used to split water molecules (H2O) into oxygen (O2), protons, and electrons.
Step 5: Understand that the oxygen produced is released into the atmosphere.
Step 6: Know that the energy from the electrons is used to create ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).
Step 7: Recognize that ATP and NADPH are energy carriers that store energy for the next stage of photosynthesis, called the Calvin cycle.
Step 8: Conclude that the significance of light-dependent reactions is that they provide the energy needed for the plant to produce glucose in the Calvin cycle.

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