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Pill

Theme C - Interaction &  Interdependence

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Direct Hit

Theme A - Unity & diversity

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Page Facing Up

Theme B - Form & Function

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Keycap Digit One

Theme D - Continuity & Change

<ul>
	<li>
	What is it? A thylakoid is like a mini solar panel sac inside plants that runs the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.
	</li>
	<li>
	What&#39;s its superpower? It turns sunlight into energy! 🌞 ➡️ 🔋

	Real-world example: Imagine if you could charge your phone by just holding it up to sunlight. Thylakoids do that for plants!
	</li>
</ul>

<ul>
	<li>Cyanobacteria: These are little bacteria with thylakoids attached to their outer covering, the plasma membrane. They&#39;re like the pioneers of photosynthesis!</li>
	<li>Plants &amp; Eukaryotic Algae: Inside their chloroplasts, they&#39;ve got two types:
	<ul>
		<li>Grana: Think of these as stacks of mini pancakes (disc-shaped thylakoids). Yummy for light!</li>
		<li>Stroma Lamellae: These aren&rsquo;t stacked. Instead, they act like bridges connecting the pancake stacks.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
</ul>

Real-world example: Picture your pancake breakfast. Grana are the stacks of pancakes, and stroma lamellae are the syrup drizzles connecting them.

Thylakoids are systems. On their own, their parts don&#39;t do much. But together? Magic! Like individual musicians forming an orchestra.

<ul>
	<li>Entrance of Water: The &quot;oxygen-evolving complex&quot; in photosystem II splits water, bringing in a rush of electrons.</li>
	<li>Sunlight&#39;s Grand Entrance: Photosystem II captures sunlight and gives a jolt of energy to these electrons. Imagine electrons on a caffeine buzz!</li>
	<li>The Electron Relay Race
	<ul>
		<li>Excited electrons pass to a molecule called plastoquinone.</li>
		<li>Plastoquinone and the cytochrome b6f complex use this energy to pump protons.</li>
		<li>Plastocyanin hands off the electrons to photosystem I.</li>
	</ul>
	</li>
	<li>Sunlight Strikes Again: Photosystem I absorbs more light, excites the electrons, and uses them to transform NADP.</li>
</ul>

Real-world example: Picture a water slide park. Water (electrons) goes down the slides, getting energy boosts (sunlight) along the way, until they splash into a pool (NADP).

<ul>
	<li>Not all parts of thylakoids are created equal. Photosystem II &amp; cytochrome b6f? They love hanging out in the grana. Meanwhile, Photosystem I &amp; ATP synthases? They prefer the stroma lamellae.</li>
	<li>Why? Being closer to the stroma makes ATP and NADP production smoother.</li>
</ul>

Real-world example: Think of a kitchen. Some tools (like the oven) are better placed in certain spots for efficiency. Same with thylakoid parts!

Thylakoids are nature&#39;s little miracle workers. Through a series of intricate steps, they harness sunlight and turn it into life-sustaining energy. So, next time you bask in the sun, remember there&#39;s a microscopic dance of light and energy happening in every green leaf around you!

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Keep shining, young biologist! 🍃🔬✨

Theme C - Interaction & Interdependence

Unlock The Power Of Thylakoids In Photosynthesis!

Table of content

Thylakoids - nature's solar panels 🌿

The many faces of thylakoids 🎨

Thylakoids - more than just the sum of its parts 🚀