The light-dependent reactions take place in the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplasts. When chlorophyll absorbs light energy, it excites electrons, which then travel through the electron transport chain. This process generates a proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane, driving the synthesis of ATP through chemiosmosis. Concurrently, the electrons reduce NADP+ to NADPH. Both ATP and NADPH are then used in the Calvin cycle to produce glucose.
