Topic 2 - Photosynthesis Flashcards
Where is chlorophyll stored
In thylakoids in the chloroplast
What is the absorption spectrum
It represents the relative absorption of light at particular wavelengths
What are the three pigments on the absorption spectrum
Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll b
Carotene
What does the absorption spectra show about individual pigments
Shows how pigments complement each other by absorbing lights over a range of different wavelengths
What is an advantage of having many pigments on the absorption spectra
That light can be absorbed over a greater range of wavelengths, and so more light energy can be harvested
What is the light harvesting phase
The absorption of light in the thylakoid, a consequence of which is to raise the energy level of the electrons in chlorophyll
What is the primary pigment in plants
Chlorophyll a
How does the antenna complex harvest light over wavelengths
The presence of different pigments with different absorption maximas
What is resonance transfer
When special proteins help pass the absorbed energy from one molecule to its adjacent molecule
Where does the light-dependent stage occur
In the thylakoid membranes
What occurs when sufficient light is available in an antenna complex
The electrons in chlorophyll a move to higher energy levels, making them excited by photoactivation. The electrons are emitted and taken up by an electron acceptor
What is the function of electron acceptors
They carry the emitted electrons to the electron carrier chain
What occcurs during photolysis
When water is split, the hydrogen dissociates into hydrogen ions and electrons. These electrons replace the lost ones during photoactivation, and the hydrogen ions are used in the light-dependent stage, with oxygen given as a waster product
What is photosystem II
The photosystem that emits the electrons that leads to the electron transfer
What are the end products of the light-dependent reaction
ATP and NADPH
