Electron route: PSII → plastoquinone → cytochrome b₆f → plastocyanin → PSI. Water supplies electrons at PSII, and O₂ is released.
Explore Metabolism
Start with a molecule, follow it through a pathway, and see where the products go next.
MATTER AND ENERGY CONNECT
Explore Photosynthesis From sunlight to stored carbon
Light energy helps move electrons and build ATP and NADPH in chloroplasts. The Calvin cycle uses those carriers to fix carbon into G3P, which can contribute to sugars. Carbon atoms cycle through ecosystems; energy flows through and is eventually released as heat.
The proton gradient powers ATP synthesis; PSI electrons help reduce NADP⁺ to NADPH.
RuBisCO adds CO₂ to RuBP. ATP and NADPH support G3P production and RuBP regeneration.
START WITH A MOLECULE
Common connection points
starting fuelGlucoseSee where it is made and used branch pointGlucose 6-phosphateSee where it is made and used shared endpointPyruvateSee where it is made and used central carbon carrierAcetyl-CoASee where it is made and used cycle intermediate and carbon shuttleCitrateSee where it is made and used electron carrierNADHSee where it is made and used energy currencyATPSee where it is made and used
THE WHOLE METABOLISM SET
All 14 pathways
Carbohydrate Metabolism
GlycolysisGlucose → 2 pyruvate, with a net 2 ATP and 2 NADH.10 reaction records GluconeogenesisMaking new glucose from non-carbohydrate precursors.5 reaction records Pentose phosphate pathwayNADPH and ribose 5-phosphate from glucose 6-phosphate.8 reaction records Glycogen metabolismStoring and releasing glucose as glycogen.7 reaction records