Photosynthesis Flashcards
Absorption spectrum
The range of a pigments ability to absorb various wavelengths of light; also a graph of such a range
Action spectrum
A graph that profiles the relative effectiveness of different wavelengths of radiation in driving a particular process
Autotroph
An organism that obtains organic food molecules without eating other organisms or substances derived from other organisms. Autotrophs use energy from the sun or from oxidation of inorganic substances to make organic molecules from inorganic ones.
CAM Plant
A plant that uses crassulacean acid metabolism, an adaptation for photosynthesis in arid conditions. In this process carbon dioxide entering open stomata during the night is converted to organic acids, which release CO2 for the Calvin Cycle during the day, when the stomata are closed
C3 Plant
A plant that uses the Calvin cycle for the initial steps that incorporate CO2 into organic material, forming a three carbon compound as the first stable intermediate.
Calvin Cycle
the second of two major stages in photosynthesis
Carbon fixation
The initial incorporation of carbon from CO2 into an organic compound by an autotrophic organism
Carotenoids
An accessory pigment, either yellow or orange, in the chloroplasts of plants and in some prokaryotes. By absorbing wavelengths of light that chlorophyll cannot, carotenoids broaden the spectrum of colors that can drive photosynthesis.
Chrolophyll
A green pigment located in membranes within the chloroplast of plants and algae and in the membranes of certain prokaryotes. Chlorophyll a participates directly in the light reactions, which convert solar energy to chemical energy
Chrolophyll a
A photosynthetic pigment that participates directly in the light reactions which convert solar energy to chemical energy
Chrolophyll b
An accessory photosynthetic pigment that transfers energy to chlorophyll a
C4 Plants
A plant in which the Calvin cycle is preceded by reactions that incorporate CO2 into a four carbon compound, the end of which supplies CO2 for the Calvin cycle
Linear electron flow
A route of electron flow during the light reactions of photosynthesis that involves both photostems and produces ATP, NADPH, and O2. The net electron flow is from H2O to NADP+
Decomposer
An organisms that absorbs nutrients from no living organic material such as corpses, fallen plant material, and the wastes of living organisms and converts them to inorganic forms, a detritvore.
Electromagnetic spectrum
The entire spectrum of electromagnetic radiation, ranging in wavelength from less than a nonmeter to more than a kilometer.
G3P
A three carbon carbohydrate that is the direct product of the Calvin Cycle, it is also an intermediate in glycolysis
Heterotrophs
An organism that obtains organic food molecules by eating other organisms or substances derived form them.
Light reactions
The first of two major stages in photosynthesis. These reaction, which occur on the thylakoids membranes of the chloroplasts or on membranes of certain prokaryotes, convert solar energy to the chemical energy of ATP and NADPH releasing oxygen in the process.
Light harvesting complex
A complex of proteins associated with pigment molecules that captures light energy and transfers it to a reaction center pigmented in a photo system
Mesophyll
Leaf cells specialized for photosynthesis, In C3 and CAM Plants, mesophyll cells are located by the upper and lower epidermis, in C4 plants, they are located by the bundle sheath cells and the epidermis.
NADP+
Nicotinamide adenine denuclearize phosphate, an electron acceptor that, as NADPH, temporarily stores energized electrons produced during the light reactions
NADPH
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Photon
A quantum o discrete quantity, of light energy that behaves as if it were a particle.
Photophosphorylation
The process of generating ATP from ADP and phosphate by means of chemiosmosis using a proton motive force generated across the thylakoids membranes of the chloroplasts or the membranes of certain prokaryotes during the light reaction of photosynthesis
Phtotorespiration
A metabolic pathways that consumes oxygen and ATP, releases carbon dioxide, and decreases photosynthetic output. Photorespiration generally occurs on hot dry, bright days when stomata close and the o2/CO2 ratio in the leaf increases, favoring the binding of 02 rather than CO2 by rubisco
Photosynthesis
The conversion of light energy to chemical energy that is stored in sugars or other organic compounds; occurs in plants, algae, and certain prokaryotes
Photo system
A light capturing unit located in the thylakoid membrane of the chloroplast or in the membrane of the chloroplasts or in the membrane of some prokaryotes, consisting of a reaction center complex surrounded by numerous light harvesting complexes. There are two types of photosystems, 1 and 2. The absorb light best at. Different wavelengths.
Photo system 1
One of two light capturing units in a chloroplasts thylakoid membrane or in the membrane of some prokaryotes, it has two molecules of p700 chlorophyll a at its reaction center.
Photo system 2
One of two light capturing units in a chloroplasts thylakoid membrane or isn’t he membrane of some prokaryotes, it has two molecules of p680 chlorophyll a at its reaction center.
Primary electron acceptor
In the thylakoid membrane of a chloroplast, or in the membrane of some prokaryotes, a specialized molecule that shares the reaction center complex with a pair of chlorophyll a molecules and that accepts an electron from them
Producer
An organism that produces organic compounds from CO2 by harnessing light energy or by oxidizing inorganic chemicals
Reaction center complex
A complex of proteins associated with a special pair of chlorophyll a molecules and a primary electron acceptor. Located centrally in a photo system, this complex triggers the light reactions of photosynthesis. Excited by light energy, the pair of chlorophyll donates an electron to the primary electron acceptor, which passes an electron to an electron transport chain.
Rubisco
Ribose biphosphate carboxylase, the enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin cycle
Spectrophotometer
An instrument that measures the proportions of light of different wavelengths absorbed and transmitted by a pigment solution
Stomata
A microscopic pore surrounded by guard cells in the epidermis of leaves and stems that allows gas exchange between the environment and the interior of the plant
Stroma
The dense fluid within the chloroplast surround the thylakoid membrane and containing ribosomes and DNA, involved in the synthesis of organic molecules from carbo dioxide and water.
Thylakoids
A flat, membnous sac inside a chloroplast. thylakoids often exist in stacks called grand that are interconnected, their membranes contain moleculular machinery used to convert light energy to chemical energy
Visible light
The portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected as various colors by the human eye, rangin in wavelength from 380-750 no
Wavelength
The distance between crests of waves, such as those of the electromagnetic spectrum.
