What is the Difference Between Oxygenic and Anoxygenic Photosynthesis?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis lies in the electron donor used and the generation of oxygen as a byproduct.
Oxygenic Photosynthesis:
- Occurs in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria.
- Uses water (H2O) as the electron donor, which is split to supply the electron to the reaction center.
- Oxygen (O2) is generated as a byproduct and released into the environment.
- Contributes to the oxygen content in the atmosphere.
Anoxygenic Photosynthesis:
- Occurs in certain bacteria, such as green sulfur bacteria and purple bacteria.
- Uses other reduced molecules like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or thiosulfate as electron donors.
- Oxygen is not generated as a byproduct, hence the term "anoxygenic".
- Involves noncyclic photophosphorylation.
In summary, oxygenic photosynthesis generates oxygen as a byproduct and is performed by plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, while anoxygenic photosynthesis does not generate oxygen and is carried out by certain bacterial groups.
Comparative Table: Oxygenic vs Anoxygenic Photosynthesis
Here is a table comparing the differences between oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis:
Feature | Oxygenic Photosynthesis | Anoxygenic Photosynthesis |
---|---|---|
Is oxygen released? | Yes, as a by-product | No |
Electron donor in the form of water | Present | Absent |
Organisms | Cyanobacteria, algae, and plants | Bacteria, such as green sulphur bacteria and purple bacteria |
Oxygenic photosynthesis occurs in plants, algae, and cyanobacteria, and it releases oxygen as a by-product, while anoxygenic photosynthesis occurs in certain bacteria and does not produce oxygen as a by-product. Both types of photosynthesis convert light energy into chemical energy, but they differ in the specific processes and organisms involved.
- Photosynthesis vs Chemosynthesis
- Photosynthesis vs Photorespiration
- Photooxidation vs Photorespiration
- Respiration vs Photosynthesis
- Photosynthesis vs Cellular Respiration
- Photosynthetic vs Chemosynthetic Bacteria
- Aerobic Respiration vs Anaerobic Respiration
- Oxidative phosphorylation vs Photophosphorylation
- Oxygenation vs Oxidation
- Anaerobic Respiration in Plants vs Animals
- Oxidases vs Oxygenases
- Oxygen vs Carbon Dioxide
- Obligate Aerobes vs Obligate Anaerobes
- Photosystem 1 vs Photosystem 2
- Phototrophs vs Chemotrophs
- Oxygen vs Ozone
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Fermentation
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Biodegradation
- Aerobic vs Anaerobic Bacteria