Photosynthesis Flashcards
What molecules are most commonly broken down to make ATP?
Carbohydrates
Where is energy stored in our food?
chemical bonds
What molecule transfers energy from our food to our cells?
ATP
How does ATP deliver energy?
A phosphate is removed which releases energy when the bond is broken forming ADP.
What process do organisms use to make food in the absence of sunlight?
chemosynthesis
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6 H20 + sunlight -> C6H1206 + 6O2 *** note the numbers should be subscript
What part of the electromagnetic spectrum contains visible light?
ROYGBIV
What structure allows plants to take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen
stomata
What are pigments?
molecules that absorb light
What are the 2 most common types of pigments found in plants?
Chlorophyll a and B
Why are plants green?
they absorb all wavelengths except green which is reflected
What is the function of accessory pigments?
allows plants to capture green light
What are carotenoids?
yellow-orange pigments
What are anthocyanins?
red-purple pigments
What molecules stores the most energy in your body?
fat
What molecule does your body break down last for energy?
Protein
What organelle contains chlorophyll?
chloroplasts
Why do leaves change color in the fall?
chlorophyll is ususally the first pigment to break down allowing the accessory pigments to become visible
Describe the structure of a chlorplast.
double membrane with stacks of thylakoids called grana surrounded by a fluid called stroma
Why are the light-dependant reactions called dependant?
they can not occur without light
Where do the light-dependent reactions take place?
on the thylakoid membrane
What 2 things are needed (reactants) during the light dependant reactions?
water and sunlight
What are photosystems?
clusters of pigments that absorb light energy
What happens to the electrons in the photosystem when it absorbs light?
they get excited
Where do the electron go once they have left the photosystems?
electron transport chain
Where does the photosystem get replacedment electrons?
splitting of water
Where does the oxygen you breath come from initally?
water
What is the role of NADP+ in the light dependant reactions?
carries the electrons from the light-dependent reactions to the calvin cycle? (energy delivery trucks)
What is the function of ATP synthase?
enzyme that makes ATP
Where does the ATP deliver the energy?
calvin cycle
Where does the calvin cycle take place?
stroma
What 3 things are needed (reactants) during the calvin cycle?
CO2, ATP, NADPH
What is the final produce of the calvin cycle?
glucose
What 4 factors effect the rate of photosynthesis?
temperature, light intensity, water, carbon dioxide
Why does increased temperture only speed up photosynthesis to a certain extent?
if it gets too hot the proteins will denature and the chemcial reactions will stop
What effect does increasing light intensity have on the rate?
speeds it up
What effect does decreasing water have on the rate?
slows in down
What effect does increasing CO2 have on the rate?
speeds it up
