Question

What does the light dependent reaction of photosynthesis produce?

Answer 1

NADPH and ATP

Explanation:

In the non cyclic photophosphorylation light first hits photosystem II where it excites electrons to a higher energy level. The electrons come from the photolysis of a water molecule producing `O_2` and `H^+` in the thylakoid space. The electron moves through some proteins in the electron transport chain which move `H^+` from the stroma to the thylakoid space making a proton gradient.

The electron then moves to photosystem I where it gets excited to a higher energy level again. Then the electron is moved to `NADP^+` reductase, where `NADP^+` are reduced by the electrons.

The proton gradient created between the stroma and thylakoid space cause the `H^+` to flow back into the stroma through proteins in the thylakoid membrane called ATP synthase. The movement of the `H^+` powers the ATP synthase causing the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP.

For more information on the process of photosynthesis, I suggest this animation.

Answer 2

Photosynthesis can broadly be classified into two parts. They are Light Reactions and Dark Reactions.

Explanation:

End products of the Light reaction are ATP, NADPH and Oxygen.
Oxygen escapes into the atmosphere.
ATP & NADPH which is produced is called Assimilatory Power and this will be used in dark reactions of Photosynthesis.