History of Earth's Atmosphere

ATP

the primary energy carrier in living organisms.

ATP cycle

The process where one of ATP's phosphate bonds is broken to form ADP, and a phosphate is added back to turn ADP into ATP.

Joseph Priestly’s Mouse in a Jar

An experiment showing that plants provide oxygen necessary for survival, evidenced by a mouse dying in a jar without a plant.

Man in a Box

Similar to the mouse experiment, this shows that plants are necessary for humans to have oxygen in a sealed environment.

Elodea in Bromothymol blue solution

An experiment demonstrating that plants take up carbon dioxide during photosynthesis, changing the color of the indicator.

Leaf Disk Lab

An experiment where leaf disks float in water as a result of oxygen produced during photosynthesis.

Iodine and Starch Experiment

A demonstration that starch is produced during photosynthesis; color change indicates starch presence.

Radioactively labeled oxygen experiment

This experiment shows that the oxygen produced in photosynthesis comes from water, not carbon dioxide.

Light dependent reaction

Occurs in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts; produces ATP, NADPH, and oxygen using light energy and water.

Light independent reaction (Calvin Cycle)

Occurs in the stroma of chloroplasts; produces glucose using ATP, NADPH, and carbon dioxide.

Chlorophyll

The pigment in plants that absorbs light, making plants appear green because it reflects green light.

Glycolysis

The first stage of aerobic cellular respiration occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is converted to pyruvate.

Krebs Cycle

The second stage of aerobic cellular respiration occurring in the mitochondrial matrix, producing CO2, ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Electron Transport Chain

The final stage of aerobic cellular respiration occurring in the inner mitochondrial membrane, producing ATP and water.

Lactic acid fermentation

Anaerobic respiration occurring in muscle cells and some bacteria, producing lactic acid.

Alcoholic fermentation

Anaerobic respiration that produces ethanol and carbon dioxide, occurring in yeast.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy (glucose), producing oxygen as a byproduct.

Cellular respiration

The process of converting glucose into ATP, utilizing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.

Relative dating

Determining the age of a rock by comparing its layers to those of neighboring rocks.

Absolute dating

Determining the exact age of rock using techniques like radiometric dating.

Atmosphere

The layer of gases surrounding Earth, where carbon dioxide and oxygen are found.

Biosphere

The global sum of all ecosystems; the zone of life on Earth, composed of organisms made of carbon.

Geosphere

The solid part of Earth, including rocks and soil, where carbon can be stored in fossil fuels.

Hydrosphere

The combined mass of water found on, under, and above Earth's surface; carbon is dissolved in bodies of water.