One you understand the light dependent reactions, the light independent reactions, and how these two sets of interactions are linked together then you understand the basics of photosynthesis. The pattern of photosythesis that we have discussed so far is known as "C3 photosynthesis" (it is named this becasue the first stable product of the Calvin Cycle is a molecule that contains three carbon atoms). C3 photosynthesis is considered to be the basic mechanism of photosynthesis.
As I have mentioned in class the best way to assure that you understand what is going on is that you should be able to describe photosynthesis at different levels of detail.
1) the one sentence answer
2) the one paragraph answer
3) the full detail answer
In my experience, students quickly get lost by worrying about the details. Thus, I suggest that you start at the one sentence answer, then move to the one paragraph answer, and finally finish up with the full detail answer. You will find that by thinking about the one sentence and the one paragraph answers you will have already figured out how to organize your full detail answer.
I suggest that you try writing out the answers to these questions at the three levels.
1) What is photosynthesis?
2) What are the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis?
3) What are the light independent reactions of photosynthesis?
4) What is a photosystem?
I encourage you to post your answers here and then to provide critical feedback to your classmates about their answers.
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