Mitochondria and chloroplasts Flashcards

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1
Q

Proton electrochemical gradient

A

The proton electrochemical gradient across a membrane is generated by energy released as electrons travel down their electric potential gradient through the electron transport chain. This energy is eventually used to synthesize ATP

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2
Q

Proton-motive force

A

The energy stored in the proton electrochemical gradient, used to power ATP synthesis

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3
Q

ATP synthase

A

The ATP synthesizing enzyme. Used to move protons down their electrochemical gradient. As the protons move down their gradient, they release energy used to make ATP from ADP and Pi

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4
Q

Aerobic respiration stage 1

A

Stage 1 is glycolysis, which occurs in the cytoplasm. One glucose molecule is used to produce 2 pyruvate molecules. 2 ATPs and some NADH are also produced

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5
Q

Aerobic respiration stage 2

A

Stage 2 is the citric acid cycle, which occurs in the mitochondria. Pyruvate is oxidized to produce the necessary starting material (acetyl CoA). Produces carbon dioxide, ATP, and electron carriers NADH and FADH2, which store energy for later

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6
Q

Aerobic respiration stage 3

A

Stage 3 is the electron transport chain. Electron carriers (NADH and FADH2 transfer their electrons to molecules near the beginning of the transport chain. As electrons are passed down the chain, they move from a higher to a lower energy level, releasing energy. Some of the energy is used to pump H+ ions, moving them out of the matrix and into the intermembrane space. This pumping establishes an electrochemical gradient. At the end of the electron transport chain, electrons are transferred to molecular oxygen, which splits in half and takes up H+ to form water.

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7
Q

Aerobic respiration stage 4

A

Stage 4 is ATP synthesis. As H+ ions flow down their gradient and back into the matrix, they pass through an enzyme called ATP synthase, which harnesses the flow of protons to synthesize ATP.

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8
Q

Stage 1 of photosynthesis

A

Occurs in the chloroplast- energy absorption by pigments and direct transfer to electrons. Chlorophyll absorbs the energy, entering an excited state. It donates an electron to the adjacent chlorophyll, which passes it down a chain of acceptor molecules. Quinone is the primary electron acceptor, similar to coenzyme Q in the mitochondria.

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9
Q

Stage 2 of photosynthesis

A

Electron transport and proton motive force (H+ gradient). Electrons move from the high energy electron acceptor QH2 to a proton pump (the cytochrome bf complex).

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10
Q

Plastocyanin

A

Plastocyanin is an electron carrier protein that transfers electrons from the cytochrome bf complex to a complex called photosystem I. The electrons are low energy after going through the proton pump.

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11
Q

Stage 3 of photosynthesis

A

The proton gradient across the thylakoid membrane, which was generated by light, is used to synthesize ATP. Protons move down their concentration gradient from the thylakoid lumen to the stroma through the chloroplast F0F1 complex (ATP synthase).

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12
Q

Stage 4 of photosynthesis

A

Carbon fixation. The NADH and ATP produced in stages 2 and 3 drive the synthesis of six-carbon sugars from water and carbon dioxide. Starch is synthesized in the stroma.

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13
Q

Energy source for aerobic respiration

A

The chemical bonds of fuel molecules- sugars (primarily glucose) and fatty acids.

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14
Q

Energy source for photosynthesis

A

Photons (sunlight)

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15
Q

What is unique about Henneguya
salminicola?

A

It can survive without oxygen, which is changing the definition of what an animal can be. The 10 celled Henneguya
salminicola lives as a
parasite in salmon and is
related to jellyfish. It has lost its mitochondrial genome. Not sure how it survives but it probably steals nutrients from host.

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16
Q

Super resolution microscopy of the mitochondria

A

The stacks of the cristae and their membranes can be visualized this way. The cristae are invaginations of the inner mitochondrial membrane and act to expand the surface area of that membrane. This is where ATP synthesis occurs.

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17
Q

Microtubules and the mitochondria

A

Microtubules are essential for mitochondrial movement, as well as fission and fusion. While actin may not be a major highway for mitochondrial movement it may function as an entrance ramp, helping mitochondria get to the highway as needed. Microtubules can then move the selected mitochondria and regulate fission and fusion events. This model is similar to mitochondrial behavior in neurons. Neurons utilize the actin cytoskeleton to move mitochondria shorter distances and microtubules for long distance transport

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18
Q

Internal structure of the mitochondria

A

There is a smooth outer membrane that forms the outside boundary of the mitochondria. The inner membrane is continuous and composed of 3 domains. The cristae are invaginations from the inner membrane to the center of the mitochondria. The intermembrane space is the fluid filled space between the inner and outer membranes. The matrix is the fluid filled space within the inner membrane, and it contains mtDNA, ribosomes, and granules.

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19
Q

Transmission electron microscopy of the mitochondria

A

The mitochondrial membranes can be observed using this imaging technique. Crista junctions (that separate the crista membranes from the inner boundary membrane) can be seen.

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20
Q

Mitochondrial microprotein

A

New “microprotein” (54 AA) called PIGBOS discovered on the outer mitochondrial membrane (green fluorescence). It communicates with the ER and regulates the UPR via
the ER protein CLCC1 at mitochondrial ER contact sites. Loss of PIGBOS increases UPR leading to
increased cell death

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21
Q

Unfolded-protein response

A

Cells respond to the presence of unfolded proteins in the rough ER by increasing transcription of genes that encode ER chaperones and folding catalysts.

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22
Q

Mitochondria associated membranes (MAMs)

A

Regions of direct contact between the ER membrane and the outer mitochondrial membrane. They affect mitochondrial structure and function. For example, in response to elevated IP3, calcium moves through the MAM into the mitochondrial matrix. Elevated calcium levels in the matrix increase ATP synthesis.

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23
Q

The inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM)

A

The IMM contains the ETC and ATP synthase and an unusual four legged phospholipid called cardiolipin (CL)
which is now widely studied.

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24
Q

Cardiolipin

A

Cardiolipin interacts with and is required for optimal activity of several IMM proteins, including the enzyme complexes of the electron transport chain (ETC) and ATP production and for their organization into supercomplexes. Acts like “glue” for the ETC. CL also plays an important role in mitochondrial membrane morphology, stability and dynamics, in mitochondrial biogenesis and protein import, in mitophagy, and in different mitochondrial steps of the apoptotic process

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25
Q

Fusion and fission

A

The mitochondria undergo frequent fusions (merging) and fissions (breaking apart), which can generate tubular or branched networks. This could account for the variety in mitochondrial morphologies seen across cell types

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26
Q

How is mitochondrial fusion regulated

A

Integral membrane proteins MFN1 and MFN2 mediate outer mitochondrial membrane fusion. This is followed by fusion of the inner mitochondrial membranes, which is mediated by integral membrane protein OPA1.

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27
Q

How is fission regulated?

A

A GTPase called DRP1. Post-translational modifications of DRP1 regulate fission

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28
Q

Tunneling nanotubes

A

Tunneling nanotubes are projections of the cell membrane that connect the cytoplasm of animal cells. They act like gap junctions by transferring chemical and electrical signals between the cells.
In addition to intracellular movement, mitochondria and mtDNA have been found to be transferred from one cell to another via these membrane tubules

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29
Q

Mitochondrial permeability transition pore

A

A transmembrane protein residing in the mitochondrial inner membrane. Normally closed, this large protein pore opens when stimulated by mitochondrial matrix Ca2+ accumulation, adenine nucleotide depletion, increased phosphate concentration or oxidative stress. Opening of the pore is linked to apoptosis.

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30
Q

Why does mitochondrial fission occur? (2)

A
  1. Distribute mitochondria into 2 daughter cells
  2. Eliminate damaged parts of the mitochondria
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31
Q

Intrinsic triggered apoptosis

A

Mitochondria can trigger cell death in response to intrinsic cell stress- increase in reactive oxygen species. Chemotherapy and radiation creates mutations in the nucleus so the cell is triggered to go into apoptosis

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32
Q

What happens when the MPTP is opened? (4)

A

Triggers the mitochondrial apoptotic cascade
1. Cytochrome C is located in the ETC- triggers apoptosis when released
2. Next, cytochrome C is in the cytoplasm, binds to APAF1
3. APAF-1 now binds to procaspase 9- caspase 9 is inactive
4. Caspase 9 binds to procaspase 3- as a result we now have caspase 3 (executioner enzyme that kills the cell)

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33
Q

Extrinsic apoptotic cascade

A

Linked via “cell death receptors”- activates caspase 8- then activates caspase 3.

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34
Q

Bcl-2

A

Anti apoptotic protein (prevents the mitochondria from triggering apoptosis)- named because of discovery in B cell lymphoma. Overproduction of Bcl-2 is very common in many different cancers and can make them resistant to chemotherapy and radiation

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35
Q

Treating Bcl-2 overexpressing cancers (2)

A

2 new drugs are being tested.
1. Genasense – Bcl2 antisense oligonucleotide
targets Bcl2 mRNA
2. Obatoclax – Small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor

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36
Q

Venetoclax

A

Can now be used for a broader group of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Venetoclax was initially approved by the FDA in 2016 to treat people with CLL that has a specific genomic alteration, called deletion 17p. It targets BCL‑2 proteins and attaches to them. When Venetoclax is attached to these proteins, it helps to restore the process of apoptosis, allowing these cells to self‑destruct.

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37
Q

Synta Pharmaceuticals

A

In preclinical trials with
Elesclomol – a drug that triggers apoptosis through
targeting the electron transport chain in cancer cell mitochondria. Fast Track Orphan Drug Status for metastatic melanoma. Mechanism- increases oxidative stress

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38
Q

Reactive oxygen species

A

Highly reactive oxygen containing molecules. They are by products of the ETC and can be purposefully generated by WBCs to kill pathogens. ROS can react with and damage important biological molecules, such as lipids, proteins, and DNA

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39
Q

Cyclosporin A

A

An immunosuppressant. Inhibits the MPTP and protects stem cells
during storage and transport. It can stimulate hematopoietic stem cell growth.

40
Q

What technique is used to explore the UPR and MPTP pathways?

A

Western blot- used to detect proteins

41
Q

Mitochondria toxicity in drug development

A

Hepatocytes are used for mitochondrial in vitro toxicology. Cell type used was HEPG2- hepatoma cell line- have high glycolytic activity which could present a disadvantage. Some cells treated with a toxin in the presence of glucose will rely on glycolysis to meet their bioenergetic needs and will be unaffected by the toxin.

42
Q

Warburg effect

A

The Warburg effect is the observation that cancer cells metabolize glucose through aerobic glycolysis- glycolysis where pyruvate is fermented to lactic acid. Tumors have an anaerobic environment. Most normal cells only do this under conditions of limited oxygen, but cancer cells carry out this process even when they have enough oxygen. Cancer cells also produce increased levels of some metabolites such as GLUT1, PFK, and LDH that directly or indirectly alter patterns of gene expression

43
Q

Mitochondrial myopathies

A

Passed on through the mother. Mitochondrial myopathies are a group of neuromuscular diseases caused by damage to the mitochondria. Nerve cells and muscle cells require a large amount of energy, so they are most frequently affected. Symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, and muscle cramps. The prognosis ranges widely.

44
Q

Autism and mitochondrial DNA mutations

A

Research has shown
that ASD is linked to mutations in mitochondrial DNA
(mtDNA). ASD children had more than twice as many mtDNA mutations when compared to unaffected siblings. Inherited from mother as
spontaneous mutations and more pronounced in children with lower IQ

45
Q

Ragged red fibers

A

Myoclonic epilepsy with ragged red fibers (MERRF) is a multisystem mitochondrial syndrome characterized by progressive myoclonus and seizures. Other features associated with MERRF include cerebellar ataxia, myopathy, cardiac arrhythmia, sensorineural hearing loss, optic atrophy, and dementia. MERRF occurs due to genetic mutations in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA)

46
Q

2 hypotheses for what causes Alzheimer’s disease

A
  1. Accumulation of amyloid beta protein
  2. Mitochondrial dysfunction
47
Q

How is mitochondrial dysfunction related to Alzheimer’s disease?

A

Defect in the TCA
(Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle)
precedes amyloid beta
accumulation in C. elegans
model

48
Q

Phosphofructokinase-1

A

The key regulatory enzyme in glycolysis. It is activated by AMP and fructose 2,6- bisphosphate , whose concentrations are elevated when the cell’s energy stores are low. PFK-1 is inhibited by ATP and citrate- they are both elevated when energy stores are high (actively oxidizing glucose).

49
Q

The malate-aspartate shuttle

A

A cyclical series of reactions that transfers NADH in the cytosol across the inner mitochondrial membrane. The net result is the replacement of cytosolic NADH with NAD+ and matrix NAD+ with NADH. Because the IMM is impermeable to NADH, shuttles are used to allow electrons to be indirectly transferred from NADH to oxygen via the ETC.

50
Q

Peter Mitchell

A

Won the 1978 Nobel
Prize for Chemiosmotic Model of Mitochondrial Function. He found that a burst of ATP synthesis accompanied the transmembrane movement of protons driven by a concentration gradient. Contrary to the dominant hypothesis of the time, it was found that protons actually move through ATP synthase as they cross the membrane.

51
Q

Inner mitochondrial membrane functions

A

The inner mitochondrial membrane is the functional barrier to the passage of small molecules between the cytosol and the matrix and maintains the proton gradient that drives oxidative phosphorylation. In contrast to the outer membrane, the IMM is not freely permeable to small molecules

52
Q

Cyanide

A

Poisons the electron transport chain due to its binding to the heme a3 prosthetic group in Complex IV (Cytochrome C oxidase). The shutdown of aerobic ATP generation is recognized as the primary mode of cyanide’s cytotoxic action in eukaryotes

53
Q

2,4 - Dinitrophenol (DNP)

A

A drug that causes weight loss, but it also has a very high rate of adverse events, including hyperthermia, tachycardia, diaphoresis and tachypnoea, and it can cause death at toxic levels. DNP acts as a chemical ionophore, stopping the final energy conversion and causing a shift in the proton electrochemical gradient then results in potential energy dissipating as heat, instead of being converted to ATP, with rapid consumption of calories. The heat production represents a failure in thermoregulatory homeostasis, leading to uncontrolled hyperthermia. It also uncouples oxidative phosphorylation.

54
Q

Thermogenin

A

Found in the inner mitochondrial membrane of brown adipose tissue of newborns. It is an uncoupling protein which supplies heat by allowing the dissipation of the proton gradient without ATP synthesis, similar to DNP. Generates heat by non-shivering thermogenesis

55
Q

Non-shivering thermogenesis

A

Cold-induced increase in heat production not associated with shivering activity. Babies do not shiver when they’re cold due to thermogenin production

56
Q

Gramicidin and valinomycin

A

Two mitochondrial uncouplers - potassium ionophores
that compromise the mitochondrial transmembrane
voltage that is normally -200 mV. Valinomycin binds to potassium and carries it across the membrane in accordance with electric potential (moves toward the more negative side of the membrane).

57
Q

Ionophore

A

A small lipid soluble molecule that selectively binds a specific ion and carries it across otherwise impermeable membranes

58
Q

Oligomycin

A

Blocks the F0F1- this inhibits cellular respiration. It causes an accumulation of protons outside the mitochondrion because the proton pumping system is still intact, but the proton channel is blocked.

59
Q

Cycloheximide

A

Selectively blocks nuclear
translation to selectively inhibit mitochondrial protein synthesis

60
Q

Chloramphenicol and tetracycline

A

Selectively
blocks mitochondria-specific translation of proteins. Chloramphenicol can inhibit both bacterial and mitochondrial protein synthesis, causing mitochondrial stress and decreased ATP biosynthesis. Tetracyclines induce mitochondrial proteotoxic stress, leading to changes in nuclear gene expression and altered mitochondrial dynamics and function

61
Q

Chloroplasts in the laboratory

A

One experiment found that synthesis of ATP by ATP synthase depends on a pH gradient across the membrane. Isolated chloroplast thylakoid vesicles that contained ATP synthase were exposed to a buffer solution (pH= 4). The vesicles were then mixed with a solution of pH= 8 once the pH of the thylakoid lumen reached 4. A burst of ATP synthesis accompanied the movement of protons across the membrane, driven by the H+ concentration gradient

62
Q

Thylakoid membrane

A

Unlike mitochondria, chloroplasts contain a third membrane. It is the site where light-driven generation of ATP and NADH occurs. It contains integral membrane proteins that are bound to light absorbing pigments

63
Q

Mitochondria in the laboratory

A

The inner mitochondrial membrane was treated with ultrasonic vibrations to create inside out submitochondrial vesicles that were capable of both electron transport and ATP synthesis. Membrane vesicles and F1 particles could be combined to make reconstituted vesicles that were capable of both electron transport and ATP synthesis.

64
Q

Rhodamine 123

A

Rhodamine 123 is a popular green fluorescent mitochondrial dye that stains mitochondria in living cells in a membrane potential-dependent fashion. It is widely used in flow cytometry studies involving mitochondrial membrane potential. Discovered by Lan bo Chen.

65
Q

JC-1

A

JC-1 is a novel cationic carbocyanine dye that accumulates in mitochondria. It is a sensitive marker for mitochondrial membrane potential

66
Q

Mitochondrial transplantation

A

Researchers at UC Irvine have found that they can give cells a short term increase in energy through mitochondrial transplantation. This could be a future approach to treating cancer and metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases

67
Q

The act of white blood cells engulfing antigens and red blood cells is an example of
which of the following?

A

Heterophagy

68
Q

Joseph Priestly

A

The first known person to do an experiment focused on photosynthesis by using a closed vessel containing a sprig of mint and a mouse. He showed that animals required something from plants released into the air that allowed them to survive longer when they were contained in a closed container.

69
Q

Spirogyra

A

Ribbon-like chloroplasts. Thomas Engelmann ran an experiment ( using a crystal prism. He found that Spirogyra algae produce oxygen mostly in the blue and red parts of the spectrum. This tells us that the key photosynthetic pigment should accept blue and red rays, and thus reflect green rays. Blue-green chlorophyll best fits this description.

70
Q

What was the turning point in the history of photosynthesis?

A

Purple sulfur bacteria

71
Q

Melvin Calvin

A

Dr. Melvin Calvin figured out the photosynthetic process at UC Berkeley. Green algae are aquatic organisms that use photosynthesis. Calvin placed the algae into a contraption he called “the lollipop.” Calvin shone light on the lollipop and used a radioactive form of carbon called carbon-14 to trace the path that carbon took through the algae’s chloroplast, the part of the cell where photosynthesis occurs. By this method, he discovered the steps plants use to make sugar out of carbon dioxide. The Calvin cycle is named after him.

72
Q

JCAP – Joint Center for
Artificial Photosynthesis

A

JCAP researches artificial photosynthesis- wants to produce hydrogen and carbon based fuels using only water, sunlight, and carbon dioxide as inputs. Solar driven artificial photosynthesis is now producing formate at 10% efficiency

73
Q

Sun Catalytix

A

An MIT spinoff company that works on artificial photosynthesis, acquired by Lockheed Martin

74
Q

Cyanobacteria

A

In the future, there could be renewable energy from cyanobacteria- energy production optimization by metabolic pathway
engineering

75
Q

Using photosynthesis to treat heart damage

A

New research from
Stanford shows promising results using an unusual strategy-photosynthetic bacteria and light. Researchers found that by injecting cyanobacteria into the hearts of anesthestized rats with cardiac disease, then using light to trigger photosynthesis, they were able to increase the flow of oxygen and improve heart function. The bacteria dissipated within 24 hours, but the improved cardiac function continued for at least four weeks

76
Q

Cyanobacteria growth optimized for space

A

Leading space agencies are gearing up to send crewed missions to Mars.
One of the many challenges of this mission is the production of food and other life-support
consumables on site without having to import
them from Earth. One study found that it is possible to grow
Anabaena cyanobacteria under conditions that
are a compromise between conditions on the
Martian surface and optimal conditions for
cyanobacterial productivity. They can be grown using local Martian gases, water, and other nutrients.

77
Q

Cyanobacteria and circadian clocks

A

Most if not all eukaryotic
cells have circadian clocks
that work using a similar
set of molecular events. Cyanobacteria has served
as a model system to study circadian clocks both as intact cells as well as a cell free system.

78
Q

Could large-scale artificial photosynthesis reverse climate change?

A

If CO2 emissions do not fall fast enough, then CO2 will have to be removed from the atmosphere to limit global warming. Not only could planting new forests and biomass contribute to this, but new technologies for artificial photosynthesis as well. Physicists have estimated how much surface area such solutions would require

79
Q

Neoplants

A

Paris-based Neoplants
has used bioengineering
and directed evolution to
create plants with a
purpose. Their first product – Neo P1 (cost $179) – is a houseplant that is designed to fight air
pollution by capturing
and recycling volatile
organic compounds
(VOCs) such as
formaldehyde, benzene,
toluene and xylene from
indoor air

80
Q

Structure of chloroplasts

A

Similar to mitochondria, chloroplasts are bounded by two membranes separated by an intermembrane space. Photosynthesis occurs on a third membrane (the thylakoid membrane) which is surrounded by the inner membrane and forms a series of flattened vesicles (thylakoids) that enclose the lumen. The green color of plants to due to chlorophyll and carotenoids, both of which are located in the thylakoid membrane

81
Q

Granum

A

A stack of adjacent thylakoids

82
Q

Stroma

A

The space between the inner membrane and the thylakoids.

83
Q

Chloroplasts and Autofluorescence

A

Chloroplast, an organelle facilitating photosynthesis, exhibits strong autofluorescence, which is an undesired background signal that restricts imaging experiments with exogenous fluorophore in plants.

84
Q

Chlorophyll

A

The main light absorbing pigments in the chloroplasts- the first step in photosynthesis is light absorption by chlorophyll a. Like the heme component of cytochromes, chlorophylls have a porphyrin ring attached to a hydrocarbon chain. In contrast to the hemes, chlorophylls have a central magnesium ion (rather than iron) and an additional 5-member ring

85
Q

Light absorption in chloroplasts

A

Photosynthesis involves the interaction of two separate multiprotein (photosystems), each of which absorbs light at defined wavelengths (absorption spectrum). The action spectrum indicates the overall rate of photosynthesis at each wavelength of light

86
Q

How are deep ocean organisms different from land plants?

A

They can absorb green light if little blue or red wavelengths are available.

87
Q

Beta-carotene and cancer

A

Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that may have a role in preventing cancer. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. It is currently in clinical trials (over 100 so far).

88
Q

Light harvesting complexes

A

Light is absorbed by light harvesting complexes in stage 1 of photosynthesis. LHCs transfer the absorbed energy to the reaction center of photosystem 2. At the PS2. it’s used to generate high energy electrons and oxidize water to molecular oxygen.

89
Q

Resonance energy transfer

A

Photosystem core proteins and LHC proteins orient the pigment molecules in the precise orientations and positions that are optimal for light absorption and rapid energy transfer, or resonance energy transfer. Resonance energy transfer does not involve the transfer of an electron. Energy is transferred to the special-pair chlorophyll a molecules in a reaction center after being funneled through a bridging chlorophyll in each LHC.

90
Q

Cyclic electron flow

A

A process where electrons cycle among PSI, ferrodoxin, Q, and the cytochrome bf complex. They bypass the ferrodoxin-NADP+ reductase at PSI that normally generates NADPH. Therefore, during cyclic electron flow, proton pumping allows additional ATP synthesis, but no net NADPH is generated and there is no oxidation of water to produce oxygen.

91
Q

When does cyclic electron flow occur?

A

When cells are stressed by conditions like drought, high light intensity, or low carbon dioxide levels, plants have to generate greater amounts of ATP relative to NADPH than they can produce by linear electron flow. They can use cyclic electron flow to produce ATP photosynthetically without being accompanied by NADPH production

92
Q

Linear electron flow

A

Occurs during stage 2 of photosynthesis. NADPH is generated along with a proton gradient in order to synthesize ATP in the next stage

93
Q

Photoinhibition

A

A small amount of energy absorbed by chlorophyll can be converted to triplet chlorophyll, which transfers energy to oxygen and creates highly reactive triplet oxygen. Triplet oxygen will react with and damage nearby molecules like PS2 D1- the damage is called photoinhibition, and it can suppress thylakoid activity.

94
Q

How does the PS2 get uninhibited?

A

A chaperone protein called HSP 70-

95
Q

Photorespiration

A

A reaction pathway that competes with carbon fixation (calvin cycle) by consuming ATP and generating carbon dioxide. This reduces the efficiency of photosynthesis. Photorespiration is favored when carbon dioxide is low and oxygen is high

96
Q

C4 plants

A

plants which live in hot and/or dry conditions have evolved an alternative carbon fixation pathway to enhance the efficiency of rubisco so that they don’t have to keep their stomata open as much, and thus they reduce the risk of dying from dehydration. These plants are called C4 plants, because the first product of carbon fixation is a 4-carbon compound (instead of a 3-carbon compound as in C3 or “normal” plants). C4 plants use this 4-carbon compound to effectively “concentrate” CO2 around rubisco, so that rubisco is less likely re react with O2

97
Q

Rubisco

A

Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase- an enzyme that incorporates carbon dioxide into precursor molecules that will later be converted into carbohydrates. It is located in the stroma of the chloroplast.