logo
AAT Bioquest

What are the differences between bacterial photosynthesis and plant photosynthesis?

Posted August 25, 2022


Answer

Basis of differentiation

Bacterial Photosynthesis

Plant Photosynthesis

Definition 

Is the energy producing process in the cyanobacteria group 

Is the energy producing process in plants and algae

Photosynthetic pigment involved

Bacteriochlorophyll is the photosynthetic pigment involved

Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b are the two photosynthetic pigments involved 

Location of photosynthetic pigment  

Is located in the folds of the plasma membrane

Is located in the grana of a chloroplast, which is enclosed by a double membrane

Oxygen production

No production of oxygen

Oxygen is produced

Wavelength at which the pigment absorbs light

Bacteriochlorophyll absorbs light at a higher wavelength of 800nm

Chlorophyll absorbs light at wavelengths ranging from 400 to 750 nm

Reducing agent used

H2S or other organic compounds are used as a reducing agent

H2O is the reducing agent

Type of phosphorylation 

Non-cyclic phosphorylation is common

Cyclic phosphorylation is preferred 

Where it occurs

Occurs in cyanobacteria, purple bacteria, acidobacteria, phototrophic and helicobacter 

Occurs in all plants and algae

Additional resources

Minding the Gap between Plant and Bacterial Photosynthesis within a Self-Assembling Biohybrid Photosystem