Chapter 10: Photosynthesis

Question 1

Chloroplast

Answer 1

An organelle found in plants and photosynthetic protists that absorbs sunlight and uses it to drive the synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water

Question 2

Mesophyll

Answer 2

Leaf cells specialized for photosynthesis

Question 3

Stomata

Answer 3

A microscopic pore in leaves and stems that allows gas exchange between the environment and the exterior of the plant

Question 4

Stroma

Answer 4

The dense fluid within chloroplast surrounding the thylakoid membrane and containing ribosomes and DNA

Question 5

Thylakoids

Answer 5

A flattened, membranous sac inside a chloroplast. Thylakoids often exist in stacks called grana that are interconnected; their membranes contain molecular machinery used to convert light energy to chemical energy

Question 6

Chlorophyll

Answer 6

A green pigment located in membranes within the chloroplast of plants and algae and in the membranes of certain prokaryotes.
- Chlorophyll a participates directly in the light reactions, which convert solar energy to chemical energy

Question 7

Light reactions

Answer 7

The first of two major stages in photosynthesis. These reactions, which occur on the thylakoid membranes of the chloroplast convert solar energy to the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH, release oxygen in the process

Question 8

Calvin cycle

Answer 8

The second of two major stages in photosynthesis involving fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide and reduction of the fixed carbon into carbohydrate.

Question 9

Carbon fixation

Answer 9

The initial incorporation of carbon from CO2 into an organic compound by an autotrophic organism

Question 10

How do light-independent reactions use the chemical energy stored during light-dependent reactions to fix carbon

Answer 10

• The light reaction in the thylakoid membranes split water, releasing O2, producing ATP, forming NADPH
• The Calvin cycle in the stroma forms sugar from CO2, using ATP for energy and NADPH for reducing power.