Question

What is the difference between light-dependent and light-independent photosynthesis?

Answer 1

Hint: Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants prepare their food in the presence of sunlight, water, chlorophyll, and carbon dioxide. The complete process bears two reactions in which one occurs in the presence of sunlight whereas the other one occurs in the absence of sunlight.

Complete answer:

Light-dependent photosynthesis	Light-independent photosynthesis
It is called light-dependent photosynthesis because it needs light or depends on light to produce organic energy molecules ATP and NADPH.	It is called light-independent photosynthesis because no light is required here to reduce carbon dioxide and glucose by the use of ATP and NADPH.
It occurs in the grana or thylakoid of the chloroplast.	It occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast.
During light-dependent photosynthesis photolysis or splitting of molecules of water take place into hydrogen and oxygen.	During light-independent photosynthesis reduction of carbon dioxide into glucose, molecules take place through a series of reactions constituting the Calvin cycle.
Here chlorophyll absorbs light energy and loses one electron during this process. The chlorophyll molecule gets back its lost electron from the electron released during photolysis of water.	The carbon dioxide is taken up at night and an intermediate product in the form of malic acid is produced. This acted upon by the energy absorbed through chlorophyll and the ATP produced will reduce malic acid into carbohydrates.
It is also called the photochemical phase of photosynthesis.	It is also called the biochemical phase of photosynthesis.
Photolysis occurs in light-dependent photosynthesis.	Photolysis does not occur in light-independent photosynthesis.
The end product of this reaction is ATP and NADPH.	The end product of this reaction is glucose.

Note:
-From the names light-dependent and light-independent photosynthesis, it is clear that one requires light energy whereas the other one does not need it.
-The end products of light-dependent photosynthesis are utilized in the light-independent photosynthesis for the production of glucose.
-Light-dependent photosynthesis occurs in the grana of the chloroplast whereas light-independent photosynthesis occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast.