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Difficulty: EasyKingdom Protista: Protozoa and Unicellular Algae

During the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis in the unicellular green alga *Chlamydomonas*, water molecules undergo photolysis inside the chloroplast. Which molecule is released as a direct byproduct of this light reaction?

  1. OxygenAnswer
  2. B
    Carbon dioxide
  3. C
    Glucose
  4. D
    Nitrogen

Answer

Oxygen gas is the direct byproduct released when water molecules undergo photolysis during the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis in unicellular green algae.
During photolysis in the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis in unicellular green algae, light energy absorbed by chlorophyll drives the splitting of water molecules, yielding hydrogen ions, electrons, and oxygen gas as a byproduct.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the specific photosynthetic process occurring in the chloroplast of the unicellular alga.
The process is photolysis of water during the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis.
Photolysis splits water molecules using light energy absorbed by photosynthetic pigments.
2
Determine the chemical products resulting from the photolysis reaction.
Water (2H2O2H_2O) breaks down into hydrogen ions (4H+4H^+), electrons (4e−4e^-), and oxygen gas (O2O_2).
Water serves as the primary electron donor to replace electrons excited from chlorophyll.
3
Identify which of the resulting substances is released as a gas into the environment.
Oxygen gas (O2O_2) diffuses out of the organelle and cell as a byproduct.
Hydrogen ions and electrons are retained for ATP and NADPH synthesis, whereas molecular oxygen is released.

Key Concept

Photolysis of water in unicellular algal photosynthesis
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Topics

Kingdom Protista: Protozoa and Unicellular Algae

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