Why is there so much microbial photosynthesis taking place on Earth?
What will be an ideal response?
Every year photosynthesis converts 10% of atmospheric CO2 to biomass. Most of the photosynthesis on Earth comes from microbes (particularly in marine systems, which account for > 50% of photosynthesis on Earth). This is because there is a lot of light energy on the ocean surface to drive phototrophy.
Photosynthesis involves coupling phototrophy (known as a light reaction) to fixation of CO2 (known as a dark reaction). Fixation of CO2 occurs via the Calvin cycle, which requires a lot of both energy and reducing power to occur. Autotrophs use phototrophy, because it can produce large amounts of both ATP and NADH. The fact that phototrophy is very efficient at providing both types of molecules explains why so many photosynthetic microbes use the two (phototrophy and autotrophy) in combination.
You might also like to view...
When does the cell plate form during cell division?
A. At the completion of plant cell mitosis B. At the completion of animal cell mitosis C. In the middle of animal cell mitosis D. In the middle of plant cell mitosis
In a G protein dependent pathway, the effector molecule will activate a nonprotein signal molecule called GDP
1.True 2.False
Nuclear membrane reappears during
A. Metaphase B. Prophase C. Anaphase D. Interphase E. Telophase
Nucleotide analogs cause frameshift mutations
Indicate whether the statement is true or false