2C Photosynthesis Flashcards
Autotrophs
Produce their own food, using inorganic carbon and solar energy. Plants, algae, cyanobacteria.
Heterotrophs
Intake food in the form of organic carbon, chemical energy. Humans, deer.
Chemical equation of photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + sunlight (energy) —> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Photosynthesis
A process that captures solar energy and transforms it into chemical energy.
Range of electromagnetic spectrum and visible light
EM spectrum: 10^-5 nm - 10^3 nm
visible light: 380-750nm
How does energy change as wavelength increases?
Energy increases as the wavelength of light decreases and vice versa.
Why do we see plants as mostly green?
Chlorophyll absorbs most other colors, reflects greens.
What pigments are found in plants?
Chlorophyll A and B, carotenoids, anthocyanins do not perform photosynthesis.
What is the role of NADP and NADPH?
NADP functions as an electron carrier, once hydrogen is accepted it forms NADPH. NADPH transports the hydrogen to the Calvin Cycle.
Photosystem
A pigment complex that helps collect solar energy.
First stage of Calvin Cycle
Carbon fixation is when CO2 is bound to a sugar with the enzyme RuBisCo, new molecule splits into two carbon molecules.
Second stage of Calvin Cycle
Carbon reduction is when the end product of carbon fixation is transformed into G3P with ATP and NADPH.
Third stage of Calvin Cycle
RuBP regeneration is when G3P is used to remake RuBP with the help of ATP.
RuBisCo
Binds the CO2 and RuBP together
PEP Carboxylase
Binds CO2 and a 4C sugar together.
Photorespiration
When oxygen binds to RuBP instead of CO2. Happens on hot days when plants close stomata, CO2 does not enter.
What is the source of of oxygen as a product?
Once sufficient energy is collected it is strong enough to break apart water into hydrogen and oxygen.
G3P
Can be converted into many different molecules like fatty acids, carbohydrates, and amino acids.
Hydrogen gradient
The hydrogen ions move through ATP synthase, transferring enough energy for ADP to turn into ATP.
C3 photosynthesis
Do not have a way to avoid respiration, called C3 because after fixation, 3-PGA is the compound produced.
C4 photosynthesis
Separates carbon fixation by location. Send the steps of photosynthesis to different cell types, starts in mesophyll cell, and malate is transferred to bundle sheath cell.
CAM photosynthesis
Save water by separating the steps between night and day. Similar to C4 except that malate is stored overnight.
