5.6 Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is Photosynthesis?
Physiological process used by plants algae and some bacteria to convert light energy(from sun) to chemical energy
What is an Autotroph(primary producer)?
organism that produces complex organic compounds from simple substances
What is Autotrophic nutrition?
organisms producing food from inorganic raw materials like CO2 and H2O present in the surroundings
Organisms that photosynthesise are…..
PLANTS, Photoautotrophs
How are Photosynthesis and Respiration related?
Respirations products are photosynthesis reactants
Vice-versa
Plants constantly respire, but photosynthesise only when sunlight’s present. The compensation point is…
when photosynthesis and respiration occur at the same rate and oxygen used and released is equal
Where does photosynthesis take place in a plant?
Chloroplast
Describe the structure of a chloroplast.
- Usually disc-shaped.
- Double membrane (Inner & outer )(envelope)
- Intermembrane space
- Stroma: fluid-filled matrix with high enzyme & substrate concentration & own loop of DNA.
- Thylakoids: flattened discs stack to form grana.
- Intergranal lamellae: tubular extensions attach thylakoids in adjacent grana.
Where do the light-dependent & light-independent reactions occur in plants?
- Light-dependent: in the Thylakoids
* Light-independent: in the Stroma
What are ‘Photosynthetic Pigments’?
pigments embedded within thylakoid membrane that Absorb different wavelengths of light to maximise rate of photosynthesis.
What are the 2 types of Photosynthetic Pigment ?
- Primary pigment: chlorophyll (made of chlorophyll a & chlorophyll b) found in photosystems.
- Accessory pigments: carotenoids (carotene & xanthophylls) found in light-harvesting systems.
What are the 2 forms of chlorophyll A what light wavelengths do they absorb?
P680 in photosystem 2 (peak light absorption 680nm)
P700 in photosystem 1(peak light absorption 7000nm)
What wavelength does chlorophyll b absorb?
400-500nm
What wavelength do Accessory pigments absorb?
550 and below
What is Photolysis?
breakdown of water in the presence of light
What is Photophosphorylation?
The generation of ATP from ADP and an inorganic phosphate in the presence of light
Name the processes in the light-dependent reaction
- photolysis
- non-cyclic photophosphorylation
- electron transfer chain
- cyclic photophosphorylation
How is water relevant in Photosynthesis?
• Reactant for Photolysis
Protons for oxidativephosphorylation
Electrons for photosystem 2
• keep plant turgid & functional
2 types of Photophosphorylation?
(Photosystems used)
cyclic (PSI only)
non-cyclic (PSI& PSII)
What is PSI & PSII?
Photosystems 1 AND 2
PSI (P700)
PSII (P680)
Explain the role of light in Non-cyclic Photophosphorylation
PSII absorb energy from photons of light. ‘excites’ 2 electrons , causing them to be released from the chlorophyll.
What happens to excited electrons?
escapes PSI, captured by an electron carrier to enter the electron transfer chain, replaced by one from photolysis
What happens in the Electron Transfer Chain (ETC)?
Electrons released from chlorophyll move down a series of carrier proteins embedded in the thylakoid membrane & undergo redox reaction (Fe3+ —> Fe2+ back to Fe3+), which releases energy & passes on the electrons .
What happens to the electrons after the Electron Transfer Chain?
Enter PSI and either
• cyclic photophosphorylation •carried of to NADP in the stroma by ferredoxin, forms NADPH