C1.3 Photosynthesis Flashcards
Rubisco
An enzyme that catalyses the addition of carbon dioxide to RuBP during the Calvin cycle
(It is the most abundant enzyme on Earth)
Steps of the calvin cycle
- Carbon fixation
- Reduction of Glycerate 3 phosphate
- Regenration of RUBP
What goes into light dependent reaction
light and water
What comes out of light dependent reaction
oxygen
What goes into calvin cycle
CO2
what comes out of calvin cycle
glucose
What is made in light dependent reaction that goes into calvin cylce
ATP and NADPH
What is made in calvin cycle that goes into light dependent reaction
ADP + P and NADP
Calvin cycle
Cyclic set of reactions fixing CO2 to produce glucose and replenish RuDP
Light dependent reaction
The initial stages of photosynthesis that occur in the thylakoid membranes of chloroplasts.
* utilise light energy to convert ADP and Pi into ATP, and reduce NADP to reduced NADP
* also generate oxygen through the process of photolysis.
Action Spectrum
A graph displaying the overall rate of photosynthesis (y)against the wavelength of visible light (x)
Absorption Spectrum
A graph displaying the wavelength of light absorbed by a particular pigment
What happens in the light dependent reactions of photosynthesis (in very short)
A proton gradient is generated thylakoid space
A product from the light dependent reactions which is not needed for the light independent reactions
oxygen
Photolysis
The break down of water to form oxygen, hydrogen and electrons
Light independent reaction
The second stage of photosynthesis.
* occur in the stroma of chloroplasts
* involve the fixation of carbon dioxide
* production of carbohydrates using the ATP and reduced NADP generated in the light-dependent reactions
Pigment
Chemical substances that absord different wvalengths of light and appear coloured to us
Why do leaves look green
all other wavelnegths of colored light are absorbed besides green light
Visible light range
380-750 nm
Types of pigments
- carotenoids
- chlorophyll A
- chlorophyll B
Carotenoids
good absorber of purple- blue
appears orange/yellow
Chlorphyll A
good absorberof purple-dark blue & yellow-orange
appears green
Chlorophyll B
good absorber of blue yellow
appears green