Abstract

Photosynthesis is a complex process in which light is utilized to split water and reduce carbon dioxide, incorporating inorganic carbon into organic matter. The reaction steps can be divided roughly into two classes, loosely called "light" and "dark" reactions. The first are involved in oxygen evolution from water and formation of highly reduced (NADPH) and high energy (ATP) intermediates. These serve as the raw materials for the following CO₂ reduction and fixation ("dark" reactions), contributing reducing equivalents and energy.

© 1981 Optical Society of America