Photosynthesis

Question 1

What kinds of processes do plants need energy for?

Answer 1

• photosynthesis
• active transport
• DNA replication
• cell division
• protein synthesis

Question 2

What kind of organisms are plants? (food)

Answer 2

They are autotrophs/phototrophs

Question 3

What is photosynthesis and what is it’s word equation?

Answer 3

Photosynthesis is the process where energy from light is used to make glucose from H2O and CO2.
Carbon dioxide + water + energy —-> glucose and oxygen

Question 4

What is a metabolic pathway?

Answer 4

A metabolic pathway is a series of samll reactions controlled by enzymes

Question 5

What is phosphorylation?

Answer 5

This is the process of adding phosphate to a molecule

Question 6

What is photophosphorylation?

Answer 6

This is the process of adding phosphate to a molecule using light

Question 7

What is photolysis?

Answer 7

The splitting of a molecule using light energy

Question 8

What is hydrolysis?

Answer 8

The splitting of a molecule using water

Question 9

What is decarboxylation?

Answer 9

The removal of carbon dioxide from a molecule

Question 10

What is dehydrogenation?

Answer 10

The removal of hydrogen from a molecule

Question 11

What is a redox reaction?

Answer 11

Reactions that involve both oxidation and reduction

Question 12

What is a coenzyme and how do they work?

Answer 12

A coenzyme is a molecule that aids the function of an enzyme. They usually work by transferring a chemical group from one molecule to another

Question 13

What is the coenzyme used in photosynthesis?

Answer 13

NADP
It transfers hydrogen from one molecule to another.

Question 14

What are chloroplasts?

Answer 14

Chloroplasts are small, flattened organelles found in plant cells. They are the location for photosynthesis in plant cells.

Question 15

What are the main structures in a chloroplast?

Answer 15

• double membrane (chloroplast envelope)
• thylakoids stacked into grana linked together by lamellae
• photosynthetic pigments

Question 16

What are the photosynthetic pigments in chloroplasts?

Answer 16

These are colored substances that absorb the light energy needed for photosynthesis. The pigments are found in the thylakoid membranes- attached to proteins. The protein and pigment are called a photosystem.

Question 17

What are the specific photosynthetic pigments in chloroplasts?

Answer 17

• chlorophyll a
• chlorophyll b
• carotene

Question 18

What is the structure of a photosystem?

Answer 18

contains both primary and accessory pigments.

Question 19

What are primary pigments?

Answer 19

Primary pigments are reaction centers, where electrons are excited during the light-dependent reaction.

Question 20

What are accessory pigments?

Answer 20

Accessory pigments make up light-harvesting systems. These surround reaction centers and transfer light energy to them to boost the energy available for electron excitement to take place.

Question 21

What are the differences between photosystem I and II?

Answer 21

Photosystem I: absorbs light best at 700nm wavelength
Photosystem II: absorbs light best at 680nm wavelength

Question 22

What is the stroma in chloroplasts?

Answer 22

Contained with the inner membrane of the chloroplasts and surrounding thylakoids is a gel-like substance called the stroma. It contains enzymes, sugars and organic acids.

Question 23

Where is the DNA in chloroplasts?

Answer 23

Chloroplasts have their own DNA, which is found in the stroma and is often circular. There can be multiple copies in each chloroplast.

Question 24

Where are carbohydrates stored in the chloroplast?

Answer 24

Carbohydrates produced by photosynthesis and not used straight away are stored as starch grains in the stroma.