What are the end products of the light reactions in photosynthesis?

The light reactions of photosynthesis occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts and are primarily responsible for converting light energy into chemical energy. The end products of these reactions are ATP, NADPH + H+, and oxygen.

During the light reactions, chlorophyll absorbs light, which drives the process of splitting water molecules (photolysis) to release oxygen as a byproduct. This reaction also generates electrons that move through the electron transport chain, ultimately leading to the production of ATP through chemiosmosis and the generation of reducing power in the form of NADPH. ATP provides the energy, and NADPH serves as a reducing agent, both of which are essential for the subsequent Calvin cycle, where carbon fixation occurs, but these products are not carbon compounds like glucose.

Therefore, the correct answer highlights the key outputs of the light reactions, emphasizing their role in energy and reducing power generation for the overall process of photosynthesis.