How does the plant get energy?
Plants get their energy through a process called Photosynthesis. In plant cells a special organelle, called a Chloroplast (which contains Chlorophyll) gives them their green color. A bi-lipid membrane forms the Chloroplast. Inside is a network of flattened sacs of photosynthetic membranes called Thylakoids. These Thylakoids have a internal reservoir called a lumen. The lumen contains water, which is a main part of the photosynthetic process. The Thylakoids are arranged in stacks, called Grana, of up to several dozen. The Thylakoids are surrounded by a protein rich solution of Stroma. The Thylakoid is also formed from a bi-lipid membrane. Embedded in the membrane are packets of ATP syntheses that help to catalyze the production of ATP (Adenosine Tri-Phosphate) molecules (2).
In the actual process of photosynthesis there are two parts; the light reaction (often referred to as the Calvin Cycle) and the dark reaction, both of which are needed to allow for cell respiration. It is inside the Thylakoids where the light reactions of Photosynthesis take place. A Photosystem is a unit of several hundred chlorophyll molecules and associated acceptor molecules. Light passes through the membrane and excites Photosystem 1. An electron is excited and "jumps" off this Photosystem and travels down the Electron Transport Chain, or a path where the electrons "jump" molecule to molecule. The electron from Photosystem 1 reaches a NADP+(nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) and forms NADP+ + H+. Since Photosystem 1 has lost electrons, they must be replaced. This is where Photosystem 2 comes in. Photosystem 2 is excited by light and the electrons from it travel to Photosystem 1 and replace the electrons lost by it. But now Photosystem 2 is in a state of electron deprivation. This is when a water molecule in the Lumen is split into two Hydrogen atoms and one atom of Oxygen. Then the Hydrogen atoms ...