Photosynthesis Flashcards
Photosynthesis
The process by which green plants make their own food using light energy
What are organisms that can make their own food called
Autotrophic organisms
What is the balanced equation for photosynthesis
6CO2+6H2O—light—>C6H12O6+6O2
What are the 4 factors necessary for photosynthesis to occur
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Sunlight
- Chlorophyll
Which organelle does photosynthesis occur
Chloroplast
What is the purpose of Chlorophyll in photosynthesis
Trap or absorb light energy
What are the 3 products of the light stage
ATP
NADPH
Oxygen
What is the splitting of water in the presence of light called
Photolysis
Outline the events of the Cyclic Pathway
•light energy is absorbed by the chlorophyll
•Electrons within the chlorophyll are energized
•Leave the chlorophyll and are picked up by an electron acceptor molecule
•Passes energized electrons to an electron transport chain
•Electrons move along the chain and release their energy
•Energy used to add a phosphate onto ADP to from ATP
•Electrons, now low in energy, return to the chlorophyll
Outline the events of the Non-Cyclic Pathway
•light energy is absorbed by the chlorophyll
•Electrons within the chlorophyll are energized
•They leave the chlorophyll and are picked up by NADP+ and it transfers the two electrons and the protons to the dark stage
•Photolysis then occurs to replace lost electrons
What happens to ADP and NADP+ in the Dark Stage
They return to the light stage
Outline the events of the Dark Stage
•Carbon Dioxide from the air enters the chloroplast
•The NADPH carries in the energized electrons and the protons from the light stage, these electrons and protons are combined with the carbon dioxide to form Glucose
•The ATP provides the energy for the reaction to take place
•The NADP+ and the ADP are recycled back into the light stage to be re-used
3 ways to increase the rate of photosynthesis
Increase light intensity
Increase CO2 levels
Increase temperature
