{"id":716,"date":"2017-04-16T02:54:39","date_gmt":"2017-04-16T02:54:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/bio1\/chapter\/8-5-photosynthesis-in-prokaryotes\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T18:15:25","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T18:15:25","slug":"8-5-photosynthesis-in-prokaryotes","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.hcfl.edu\/bio1\/chapter\/8-5-photosynthesis-in-prokaryotes\/","title":{"raw":"Photosynthesis in Prokaryotes","rendered":"Photosynthesis in Prokaryotes"},"content":{"raw":"The two parts of photosynthesis\u2014the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle\u2014have been described, as they take place in chloroplasts. However, prokaryotes, such as cyanobacteria, lack membrane-bound organelles (including chloroplasts). Prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms have infoldings of the plasma membrane for chlorophyll attachment and photosynthesis (Figure 1<\/strong>). It is here that organisms like cyanobacteria can carry out photosynthesis.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_136\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]\"twisty Figure 1<\/strong>\u00a0A photosynthetic prokaryote has infolded regions of the plasma membrane that function like thylakoids. Although these are not contained in an organelle, such as a chloroplast, all of the necessary components are present to carry out photosynthesis. (credit: scale-bar data from Matt Russell)[\/caption]\n\n[h5p id=\"159\"]\n

References<\/h1>\nUnless otherwise noted, images on this page are licensed under CC-BY 4.0<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0OpenStax<\/a>.\n\nText adapted from: OpenStax<\/span>, Concepts of Biology. OpenStax CNX. May 18, 2016 http:\/\/cnx.org\/contents\/b3c1e1d2-839c-42b0-a314-e119a8aafbdd@9.10","rendered":"

The two parts of photosynthesis\u2014the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle\u2014have been described, as they take place in chloroplasts. However, prokaryotes, such as cyanobacteria, lack membrane-bound organelles (including chloroplasts). Prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms have infoldings of the plasma membrane for chlorophyll attachment and photosynthesis (Figure 1<\/strong>). It is here that organisms like cyanobacteria can carry out photosynthesis.<\/p>\n

\"twisty
Figure 1<\/strong>\u00a0A photosynthetic prokaryote has infolded regions of the plasma membrane that function like thylakoids. Although these are not contained in an organelle, such as a chloroplast, all of the necessary components are present to carry out photosynthesis. (credit: scale-bar data from Matt Russell)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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