Photosynthesis

[AaronAnton]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what the outputs of the Light Independent are. Some sources say that glucose, unloaded carrier molecules and 6H2O are outputs whereas some say that only the glucose and unloaded carrier molecules are.

Are both correct or is there a correct answer!

[darkz]

Hey all,

I was just wondering what the outputs of the Light Independent are. Some sources say that glucose, unloaded carrier molecules and 6H2O are outputs whereas some say that only the glucose and unloaded carrier molecules are.

Are both correct or is there a correct answer!

Water is an output of photosynthesis (and therefore light independent), which would make saying water is not an output incorrect. However, if you're writing the chemical equation, you don't have to write water as an output because it cancels out with the input of water. (Hence why some sources may not include it)
\[\text{Full equation: } 12H_2O+6CO_2\rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6+6O_2+6H_2O\]
\[\text{Simplified equation: }6H_2O+6CO_2\rightarrow C_6H_12O_6+6O_2\]

[AaronAnton]

Hey darkz,

I appreciate the quick reply!
Just one more thing if you don't mind. What are unloaded carrier molecules and do I need to know what they are? For some reason I remember NADPH which is loaded but what would unloaded mean?

[yesh.weerakkody]

An unloaded carrier molecules are molecules that play a role in transporting electrons through the electron transport chain. For instance, NADH in cellular respiration could be another example. Unloaded would basically mean the molecule without the hydrogen ion attached.
This is only from what I know, and  I may be wrong/ haven’t explained this properly since I’m also only learning this stuff... pls fix any mistakes, I may have made.

[AaronAnton]

Ohhh, I think I remember going through content similar to this whilst doing Structure and regulation of biochemical pathways.
Thanks for your response!