NADPHNicotinamide adenine

dinucleotide phosphate

By Tommy Handoko

Chemical Formula of NADPH

NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate)

C21H30N7O17P3

Structural Formula

http://www.chemspider.com/ImageView.aspx?mode=3d&id=5673

Role in Photosynthesis Produced during the Light Reaction

(light-dependent reaction)

Used in the Calvin Cycle (Dark reaction/light-independent reaction)

NADPH is used to produce Glyceraldehyde 3-Phosphate (G3P) which will then become glucose.

Involved in Photosynthesis Light Reaction

NADP+ (An electron accepter)

Stored energized electrons from the light reaction in for later use in the Calvin Cycle. (‘Reducing power’)

Also takes in a Hydrogen ion (H+) hence becoming NADPH from NADP+

Involved in Photosynthesis Calvin Cycle (Dark Reaction)

Ribulose Biphosphate + CO2

Produces Biphosphoglycerate (intermediate)

ATP then adds a Phosphate compound Becomes ADP

NADPH reduces it with the 2 stored Electrons and the Hydrogen ion causing it to lose a phosphate group.

Produces Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)

This then becomes Glucose

Why is NADPH important? NADPH is essential in producing glucose for

the survival of plants

Because ATP alone is not enough to produce sugars and complete the Calvin cycle

Without NADPH plants would eventually wither and die out

No more food chain if plants are not able to survive

ReferencesAnswers.comHow does ATP and NADPH contribute to photosynthesis?Answers.com (n.d.) How does ATP and NADPH contribute to photosynthesis?. [online] Available at: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_does_ATP_and_NADPH_contribute_to_photosynthesis [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsiteBio.umass.eduThe Calvin CycleBio.umass.edu (n.d.) The Calvin Cycle. [online] Available at: http://www.bio.umass.edu/biology/conn.river/calvin.html [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsiteCalpoly.eduPhotosynthesisCalpoly.edu (1940) Photosynthesis. [online] Available at: http://www.calpoly.edu/~mforte/dream/p3.html [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsiteChemspider.comNADPH | C21H30N7O17P3 | ChemSpiderChemspider.com (2013) NADPH | C21H30N7O17P3 | ChemSpider. [online] Available at: http://www.chemspider.com/Chemical-Structure.5673.html [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsiteHartnell.eduHartnell College Biology TutorialsHartnell.edu (n.d.) Hartnell College Biology Tutorials. [online] Available at: http://www.hartnell.edu/tutorials/biology/photosynthesis.html [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsitePh.D., A.Calvin CyclePh.D., A. (1950) Calvin Cycle. [online] Available at: http://chemistry.about.com/od/lecturenoteslab1/ss/Calvin-Cycle.htm [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013]. WebsiteWeb.nestucca.k12.or.usPictureWeb.nestucca.k12.or.us (n.d.) Picture. [online] Available at: http://web.nestucca.k12.or.us/nvhs/staff/whitehead/NADPH.png [Accessed: 11 Apr 2013].