Photosynthesis Flashcards
What does ADP stand for?
Adenosine Diphosphate
What are the components of ADP?
The nitrogenous base adenine, the sugar ribose, and 2 phosphate groups
What is ATP?
An energy carrier that breaks down into ADP and phosphate, releasing energy
What is NAD?
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide
What happens when NAD+ joins with 2 energised electrons and a proton?
It forms NADH, a high energy proton and electron carrier
What is the role of NAD+ in respiration?
It has very little energy and is used in respiration
What does NADP+ do in photosynthesis?
It has very little energy and is used in the process of photosynthesis
What is NADPH?
A high energy molecule that serves as an electron and proton carrier
What does the ‘P’ in NADPH stand for?
Phosphate group
What is photosynthesis?
The process by which plants make their own food
What do plants remove from the atmosphere during photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide
What do plants release into the atmosphere during photosynthesis?
Oxygen
What is the chemical equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
Where does the light stage of photosynthesis take place?
In the grana of the chloroplast
What is chlorophyll?
A pigment found in clusters that absorbs different colours of light
What happens to an electron in chlorophyll when it absorbs light energy?
The electron gains energy and is excited
What is the function of the electron acceptor in the light stage?
To receive the high energy electron from chlorophyll
What is the first pathway for high energy electrons?
Cyclic pathway where the electron is passed back to chlorophyll
What is cyclic phosphorylation?
The process where energy from a high energy electron is used to convert ADP to ATP
What is the pathway for high energy electrons in the photosynthesis process?
High energy electrons are passed from an electron acceptor to a series of electron acceptors without returning to chlorophyll.
What happens to electrons as they pass through the electron acceptors?
They lose energy.
What is the process called when energy from electrons is used to convert ADP to ATP?
Non-cyclic phosphorylation.
What do the low energy electrons join with to form NADP-?
NADP+.
What is the source of water for the photosynthesis process?
Water enters the plant via the roots.
What process splits water into electrons, protons, and oxygen?
Photolysis.
In the light-independent stage, where does the process take place?
In the stroma of the chloroplast.
What factors influence the dark stage of photosynthesis?
Temperature and pH.
What enters the chloroplast from the air during the dark stage?
Carbon dioxide.
What does ATP break down into during the dark stage?
ADP, phosphate, and energy.
What does NADPH break down into during the dark stage?
NADP+, protons, and electrons.
What is the final product when carbon dioxide is reduced in the dark stage?
Glucose.
What do ADP and NADP+ do after the dark stage?
Return to the light stage.
How can humans increase the rate of photosynthesis?
By using artificial light sources and increasing carbon dioxide concentration.
What is the optimum temperature range for increasing the rate of photosynthesis?
Approximately 20-30 degrees Celsius.
What is the first step in the experiment to investigate light intensity on photosynthesis?
Cut a small section of elodea (pondweed).
What should be added to the test tube with elodea to ensure a constant source of carbon?
Excess sodium bicarbonate.
How long should the lamp shine on the elodea to allow it to adjust?
5 minutes.
What is measured to evaluate the rate of photosynthesis in the experiment?
The number of bubbles coming from the cut end of the elodea per minute.
How is light intensity calculated in the experiment?
Light intensity = 1 divided by distance squared.
What is the final step in the experiment after collecting data?
Plot a graph of the rate of photosynthesis vs light intensity.
