Skip to main content

Can we artificially do photosynthesis and get purified oxygen as a product?

Oxygen is one of the products of photosynthesis in plants and algae. The particular step occurs in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Water is split to release electrons, protons (H+), and oxygen. The electrons are then excited by sunlight within photosystem II and then passed along the electron transport chain toward photosystem I in the thylakoid membrane. Along the way, more protons (H+) are pumped to the side of the membrane where the water is...

Oxygen is one of the products of photosynthesis in plants and algae. The particular step occurs in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis. Water is split to release electrons, protons (H+), and oxygen. The electrons are then excited by sunlight within photosystem II and then passed along the electron transport chain toward photosystem I in the thylakoid membrane. Along the way, more protons (H+) are pumped to the side of the membrane where the water is split, creating a proton gradient. The gradient is used to make ATP to fuel the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis.


If you wanted to synthetically produce oxygen in a manner similar to photosynthesis, you would just need a device to split water into its components: hydrogen and oxygen. You can do this with electricity. You need a power source, an anode and a cathode (each connected to the power source), and salt to be dissolved in the water. The battery/power source will send electrons to the cathode and electrons will move from the anode toward the battery in this electrolytic cell.  


Hydrogen ions (H+) accumulate near the cathode and gain electrons, forming hydrogen gas. Oxygen ions, being negative, accumulate near the anode, give up their electrons, and form oxygen gas. Although the hydrogens are used differently in photosynthesis (to create a H+ gradient), the oxygen that is formed via photosynthesis is also the result of the splitting of water.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is hyperbole in the story "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry?

The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his... The most obvious use of hyperbole in "The Gift of the Magi" occurs when the narrator describes Della's and Jim's evaluations of their two treasures—her long, luxuriant hair and his gold watch. Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the airshaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty's jewels and gifts. Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him plu
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some literary devices in Macbeth, Act V, Scene 1?

Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not... Act V, Scene i of Macbeth certainly continues the imagery that is prevalent in the play with its phantasmagoric realm, as in this scene a succession of things are seen or imagined by Lady Macbeth. Imagery - The representation of sensory experience Lady Macbeth imagines that she sees bloody spots (visual imagery) on the stairs; she also smells blood (olfactory imagery): Here's the smell of the blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand. Oh! oh, oh! (5.1.53-55) Hyperbole - Obvious exaggeration  There is also h
Post a Comment
Read more

How can I analyze Moon and Six Pence by Somerset Maugham?

In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of... In "Moon and Sixpence," loosely based on the life of Paul Gaugin, Maugham presents a study of the tension between the "civilized" life of 19th century Europe, and the lead character's desire to throw off the shackles of bourgeois life. Charles Strickland is a middle-aged English stockbroker with a wife and family. By abandoning his domestic life, Strickland commits what many in European society would consider a gross betrayal of one of the foundations of that society. His decision to e
Post a Comment
Read more