Wk 5 Lecture 1 Light-Dependent Reactions Flashcards
What is photosynthesis (general)?
The process of using sunlight (PHOTO) to produce (SYNTHESIS) carbohydrate
Photosynthesis reaction
6CO2 + 6 H2O + light energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2
What does it mean to say “photosynthesis is the reverse process of cellular respiration?” (discuss in terms of redox, electron energy, and potential energy)
-CO2 is reduced (instead of oxidized) and water is oxidized (instead of reduced)
-Electrons gain energy as they move from water to CO2 (turning into glucose), using light energy captured by chlorophyll
-Potential energy increases
Describe “Photo-“ in photosynthesis
-Conversion of light energy into chemical energy (ATP)
-Light-dependent (light) reactions
-produce O2 from H2O
Describe “-Synthesis” in photosynthesis
-CARBON FIXATION: fixing carbon (CO2) into organic molecules
-Light-independent (dark) reaction
-Calvin-Benson cycle => produce sugar
Photosynthesis is two sets of reactions linked by…
Electrons
What are chloroplasts? (textbook info)
An organelle in plant cells that contains chlorophyll; site of photosynthesis
Which cells of a plant contain chloroplast? What does this mean?
Mesophyll cells => majority of photosynthesis occurs INTERNALLY in leaves
What are mesophyll cells? (textbook info)
A cell found near surfaces of plant, under epidermal cells, that are specialized for lightcapturing reactions of photosynthesis
Where does carbon dioxide enter/oxygen leave in leaves?
Pores called STOMATA
How many membranes surround chloroplasts?
2 membranes
What is the third internal membrane of chloroplasts?
Thylakoids
What are thylakoids? What do they contain?
Flattened, vesicle-like structures inside chloroplasts
-Contain large quantities of pigment (most common is CHLOROPHYLL) and ATP SYNTHASE
What is a stack of thylakoids called?
Grana (granum plural)
What is the stroma?
Fluid-filled space between thylakoids and inner membrane (analogous to mitochondrial matrix)
In plants, cells that photosynthesize (mesophyll cells) typically have how many chloroplasts?
40-50 chloroplasts
Captured light energy can be transferred to other molecules to ultimately produce…
Energy intermediates for cellular work
Sunlight = ? energy
Electromagnetic energy
What is electromagnetic energy?
Energy that travels through space as waves (at speed of light [google lol])
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum (range direction, relationship b/t wavelength and energy, which colors associated)
Short gamma rays/wavelengths (high energy) => very long radio waves/wavelengths (low energy)
Wavelength and energy are inversely proportional
-Short wavelength/high energy = purple
-Long wavelength/low energy = red
What do photosynthetic pigments absorb?
Light (only certain wavelengths)
What light do chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and b) absorb?
Red and blue light
What light do chlorophylls (chlorophyll a and b) transmit?
Green light