Photosynthesis Review Flashcards
Why is photosynthesis essential to life?
It’s the only biological process that can capture and store light energy
What are organisms that can use light to manufacture their own food called?
Photoautotrophs
What are organisms that rely on photoautotrophs for food called?
Heterotrophs
What are the bacteria that are able to make sugars using energy from inorganic chemical compounds called?
Chemoautotrophs
What is the equation for photosynthesis?
6CO2 + 12 H2O = C6H12O6 + 6H2O + 6O2
How do plants acquire CO2 and expel O2?
Gas exchange through stomata on underside of leaves
Where does photosynthesis occur at in the leaves?
Middle layer called the mesophyll
What are the 2 metabolic pathways of photosynthesis?
- Light dependent reactions
- Light independent reactions (Calvin Cycle)
Where do light dependent reactions take place?
Thylakoid Membranes of Chloroplasts
Where does the Calvin Cycle take place?
Stroma (aqueous liquid) of Chloroplasts
What happens in light dependent reactions?
Light energy is converted to chem. energy, making ATP and NADPH
What protein complex do light dependent reactions take place in?
Photosystems
What occurs in light harvesting complexes?
Photons are captured and channeled to the reaction center chlorophylls
What do light harvesting complexes consist of?
Web of chlorophyll molecules linked and held tightly together in the thylakoid membrane
