chapter 8 Flashcards
Photosynthesis
The process that converts solar energy into chemical energy inside chloroplasts.
Chloroplasts
Thylakoids transform light energy into the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH.
Heterotrophs
Obtain energy and carbon from the organic material derived from other organisms.
Stomata
Microscopic pores in leaves through which CO2 enters and O2 leaves.
Mesophyll
Interior tissue of the leaf. Location of chloroplasts.
Stroma
A dense fluid surrounded by a double membrane which composes a chloroplast.
Thylakoid
Sacs suspended in the stroma. Some form stacks called grana. Form a membrane system.
Chlorophyll
A pigment that resides in the thylakoid membranes. Gives leaves their green color.
Photosynthesis equation
6CO2 + 12H2O + light → C6H12O6 + 6O2 + 6H2O
Two multi-step processes of photosynthesis
Light reactions (photo), Calvin cycle (synthesis)
Two multi-step processes of photosynthesis
Light reactions (photo), Calvin cycle (synthesis)
Location of light reactions and Calvin cycle
thylakoid membranes, stroma
Light reactions
Convert solar energy into chemical energy.
Photophosphorylation
The process in which ATP is generated by adding a phosphate group to ADP.
Calvin cycle
Produces sugars from CO2 with the help of the NADPH and ATP produced by light reactions. Has three phases 1) Carbon fixation 2) Reduction 3) Regeneration of the CO2 acceptor.
Carbon fixation
The process by which CO2 is incorporated into an organic molecule.
Wavelength
Distance between the crests of electromagnetic waves.
Electromagnetic Spectrum
The entire range of wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
Photons
Discrete particles of light. Have a fixed quantity of energy, inversely proportional to the wavelength of light.
Chlorophyll a
Suggests that violet-blue and red light work best for photosynthesis.
Photosystem
Consists of a reaction-center complex surrounded by light-harvesting complexes
Ribulose Bisphosphate (RuBP)
A five-carbon sugar that combines with CO2 during carbon fixation.
Photorespiration
Consumes ATP, O2, and organic fuel from the Calvin cycle and releases CO2 without producing any ATP or sugar.
C3 plants
The initial fixation of CO2 forms a three-carbon compound (3-phosphoglycerate). Most plants are C3
C4 plants
CO2 is incorporated into a four-carbon compound using an enzyme that has a high affinity for CO2.
Rubisco
The enzyme that catalyzes carbon fixation.
Crassulacean acid metabolism (C A M)
Another photosynthetic adaptation to arid conditions. CAM plants open stomata at night and incorporate CO2 into organic acids. Stomata close during the day, and C O2 is released from organic acids and used in the Calvin cycle.
Reaction Center
Contains pigments that absorb light to be used for photosynthesis.
Antenna Pigments
Pigments that capture photon energy and funnel the energy to the reaction center chlorophyll.
