Photosynthesis Flashcards
What is G3P?
G3P stands for glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate and is formed from NADPH.
What is G3P used for?
G3P is used to regenerate RuBP and for the synthesis of glucose.
What can glucose be used for?
Glucose may be used as a respiratory substrate, synthesized into starch or cellulose, or passed to other biosynthetic pathways.
What is the role of photosynthetic pigments?
Photosynthetic pigments absorb light energy to generate ATP and for photolysis.
What do absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and b and carotenoids compare to?
They compare to the action spectra for photosynthesis.
How do carotenoids contribute to photosynthesis?
Carotenoids extend the range of wavelengths absorbed and pass the energy to chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
What happens to absorbed light energy in pigment molecules?
Absorbed light energy excites electrons in the pigment molecule.
What is the function of the electron transport chain in photosynthesis?
The transfer of electrons through the electron transport chain releases energy to generate ATP by ATP synthase.
What is photolysis?
Photolysis is the process in which water is split into oxygen and hydrogen ions.
What does the enzyme RuBisCO do in the Calvin cycle?
RuBisCO fixes carbon dioxide by attaching it to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
What is produced when carbon dioxide is fixed in the Calvin cycle?
The product is 3-phosphoglycerate (3PG), which is phosphorylated by ATP.
What happens to light energy that is not absorbed?
Light energy not absorbed is transmitted or reflected.
Do different pigments absorb the same range of wavelengths?
No, each pigment absorbs a different range of wavelengths of light.
