Tilakoidikalvo

Tilakoidikalvo refers to the thylakoid membrane, a crucial component within chloroplasts and cyanobacteria. These membranes are organized into flattened sacs or disc-like structures called thylakoids, which are often stacked into grana. The thylakoid membrane's primary function is to house the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Embedded within this membrane are pigment molecules like chlorophyll and carotenoids, which capture light energy.

The thylakoid membrane also contains electron transport chains and ATP synthase enzymes. Light energy absorbed by pigments excites electrons, initiating a flow through the electron transport chain. This process pumps protons from the stroma into the thylakoid lumen, creating a proton gradient. The potential energy stored in this gradient is then used by ATP synthase to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a key energy currency of the cell.

Furthermore, the thylakoid membrane is the site where water is split (photolysis), releasing oxygen, protons, and electrons. The electrons are utilized in the electron transport chain, and the protons contribute to the gradient. The intricate structure of the thylakoid system, with its large surface area provided by the membranes, maximizes the efficiency of light capture and the production of ATP and NADPH, which are essential for the subsequent light-independent reactions of photosynthesis occurring in the chloroplast stroma.