Which of the following does not occur during the light reactions of photosynthesis? a. Water is released; b. Electrons from chlorophyll are moved to a higher-energy state by light; c. ATP is produced; d. NADPH is produced to carry electrons to the light-independent reactions; e. Oxygen is produced when water is split.

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the main purpose of the light reactions in photosynthesis, which is to convert solar energy into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH, while splitting water to release oxygen as a byproduct.
2. Review each option and determine if it aligns with the known processes and products of the light reactions. Recall that the light reactions involve the excitation of electrons in chlorophyll, the production of ATP and NADPH, and the photolysis of water.
3. Analyze option a, which states that water is released. Consider the process of photolysis (light-driven splitting of water) in the light reactions, where water is split into oxygen, protons, and electrons, not merely released as water.
4. Compare the remaining options with the established outcomes of the light reactions: excitation of electrons (option b), production of ATP (option c), production of NADPH (option d), and release of oxygen from water splitting (option e).
5. Conclude which option does not accurately describe a process or product of the light reactions based on the analysis of each statement against the known scientific facts of photosynthesis.