In: Biology
what step of photosynthesis splits water and releases oxygen?
Ans.
The step Photolysis splits water and releases oxygen.
Photolysis is an oxidation reaction and occurs in the PSII i.e p680 of chloroplasts in the presence of light. PSII absorbs sunlight and light energy catalyzes the PSII of chloroplast which therefore releases energy in the form of electrons and the electrons are transported to the reaction centre of PSII. The Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC) presents at PSII accept the energy and then the OEC splits water and releases electron , proton and Oxygen.
The reactions are as follows -