Photosynthesis Flashcards
Define photosynthesis
A metabolic pathway that converts light energy into chemical energy for synthesis of carbohydrate
What is the cytosol of the chloroplast called and give 2 suspensions
Stroma - free ribosomes and starch granules
What makes up the envelope of the chloroplast
Inner and outer membrane
Intermembrane space
How is the main structure in chloroplasts arranged
Thylakoid membranes form thylakoids - they stack forming grana
Where is the chlorophyll stored
In the thylakoid membranes
How long are chloroplasts
7micrometers
Where are the chloroplasts found in leaves
In the mesophyll
Where does visible light range in the electromagnetic spectrum
380nm - 750nm
What are substances that absorb visible light called
Pigments
What light works best for chlorophyll a in terms of photosynthesis
Violet-blue and red
What colour is chlorophyll a and b (what type of pigment is b)
a - Blue green
b - Olive green + accessory
What is the role of carotenoids
Dissipate light that would damage the chlorophyll
What happens when light is shone on an isolated chlorophyll molecule (3)
Molecule moves from a ground state to unstable excited state
Falling back to ground state gives off heat and photons
This causes molecule to fluoresce
When chlorophyll is not isolated and light is shone - what happens to the photons and heat given off
It is converted into chemical energy
what are photosystems made up of (RCC + LHC)
Reaction centre complex
Light harvesting complex
What does the reaction centre complex contain
a pair of chlorophyll a molecules
What makes up the light harvesting complexes
Pigments bound to proteins
Outline the general process of photons ending up as electrons with the primary electron acceptor
Pigments in LHC absorb photon and pass electron between pigments - electron is then transferred to special chlorophyll a molecules which then pass it to primary electron acceptor