Cells need to produce considerable amounts of energy to sustain day-to-day operations and reproduce to grow and create new organisms. For example, the meiosis process involves the replication of chromosomes so that one cell can become four gametes (Ko, Chapter 13, 7). The photosynthesis light reaction is the first stage of a process by which algae and plant cells sustain themselves. It absorbs energy from light and stores it in the cell for later purposes, such as replication. The photosynthesis process can be compared to charging a battery so that it can be used later.
The light reactions in the cell consist of the absorption of light by the chlorophyll molecules within the thylakoid membrane and its usage to produce ATP, the source of cell energy (Ko, Cell Respiration, 4). It stores the energy contained in the light and then releases it to fuel biochemical reactions within the cell (Shevela et al. 21). The light reaction can be compared to charging a battery, as in both cases, external energy is converted into a more convenient form for later use. In this case, the light would be the external current, and the ATP would be the conductors inside the battery that are charged with energy.
Theoretically, it may be possible to use photosynthesizing cells as battery or fuel replacements, creating a renewable and ecologically friendly energy source. Such an idea would require the generation of high amounts of ATP and its transmission to a mechanism that can release the energy stored in it on demand. Such an initiative would require a substantial investment of time and effort, but it would also contribute to addressing many current issues. Is it possible to capitalize on plants’ internal processes to help humanity resolve its current oil-related issues?
Works Cited
Shevela, Dmitry, et al. Photosynthesis: Solar Energy For Life. World Scientific Publishing Company, 2018.
Ko, Kenton. Cell Respiration and Fermentation: Chapter 9. [put the address from which you downloaded the presentation here]. 2020.
Chapter 13 and 18 (section 18.6 only): Mendel and the Gene. [put the address from which you downloaded the presentation here].