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Multiple Choice
Which of the following are produced during the light reactions of photosynthesis?
A
Pyruvate and FADH$_2$
B
ATP and NADPH
C
CO$_2$ and water
D
Glucose and oxygen
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the light reactions of photosynthesis: These occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and involve the conversion of light energy into chemical energy.
Identify the key products of the light reactions: The light reactions produce ATP (adenosine triphosphate) and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), which are used in the Calvin cycle for synthesizing glucose.
Eliminate incorrect options: Pyruvate and FADH$_2$ are products of cellular respiration, not photosynthesis. CO$_2$ and water are involved in photosynthesis but are not products of the light reactions. Glucose and oxygen are products of the overall process of photosynthesis but not specifically of the light reactions.
Focus on the correct answer: ATP and NADPH are the direct products of the light reactions, generated through processes like photophosphorylation and the reduction of NADP$^+$.
Summarize the role of ATP and NADPH: These molecules store energy and reducing power, respectively, and are essential for driving the Calvin cycle, where carbon fixation occurs.