Photolysis

photolysis
a process whereby molecules of water may have their hydrogen split from the oxygen, because of light energy present on chlorophyll
Source: Noland, George B. 1983. General Biology, 11th Edition. St. Louis, MO. C. V. Mosby ...

Photolysis refers to any chemical reaction in which a compound is broken down by light.

[edit] Photolysis in photosynthesis
Photolysis is a part of the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. The general reaction of photosynthetic photolysis can be given as:
H2A + 2 photons (light) 2e- + 2H+ + A ...

//H+ from photolysis remain in thylakoid space
ETC releases energy
Used to pump H+ from stroma into thylakoid space
By active transport and electrochemical gradient
H+ conc in thylakoid space > stroma ...

Hill reaction The splitting of a molecule of water during the light reactions of photosynthesis; the photolysis of water.
hilum Scar on a seed indicating where it was attached to the ovary.

These electrons and hydrogen ions come from the photolysis of H2O into O2 and electrons e- and H+. So, as we discussed earlier, a plant uses water and carbon dioxide and sunlight to make sugars and oxygen.

See also: Lysis, Oxygen, Chlorophyll, Molecule, Photosynthesis