| Light reaction | Dark reaction |
| 1. It occurs in the grana of the chloroplast. | 1. Occurs in the stroma of the chloroplast. |
| 2. It occurs only in the presence of light. | 2. It occurs in the presence or absence of light. |
| 3. Light reaction absorbs oxygen andlight energy. | 3. Dark reaction absorbs only CO2. |
| 4. End products are O2 , ATP and NADPH. | 4. End product is Glucose. |
| 5. Photolysis of water occurs. | 5. Carbon fixation occurs |
| 6. First stage of photosynthesis. | 6. Second stage of photosynthesis. |