photosynthesis vocab

Autotroph

An organism that can make its own food using light or chemical energy, usually through photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process by which plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide to make glucose (food) and oxygen.

Chlorophyll

A green pigment in plants that absorbs sunlight and helps start photosynthesis.

Thylakoid

A membrane-bound structure inside a chloroplast where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Light-dependent reactions

The part of photosynthesis that uses sunlight to make energy-rich molecules (ATP and NADPH) and oxygen.

Light-independent reactions

The part of photosynthesis that does not need light directly and uses ATP and NADPH to make glucose.

Photosystem

A group of proteins and pigments in the thylakoid that captures light energy during photosynthesis.

Electron transport chain

A series of proteins that pass electrons along, releasing energy used to make ATP.

Chloroplast

The organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis happens.

ATP (adenosine triphosphate)

A molecule that stores and provides energy for cells.

ADP (adenosine diphosphate)

A molecule that becomes ATP when it gains energy and a phosphate group.

Calvin cycle

A series of reactions in the stroma that use carbon dioxide and energy to make glucose.

Aerobic

A process that requires oxygen.

Anaerobic

A process that does not require oxygen.

Granum

A stack of thylakoids inside a chloroplast.

Lamellae

Thin membranes that connect different stacks of thylakoids in a chloroplast.

Mitochondria

The organelles in cells that produce energy (ATP) through cellular respiration.

Stroma

The fluid-filled space inside a chloroplast where the Calvin cycle takes place.

Stomata

Small openings on leaves that allow gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen to move in and out.

Glycolysis

The first step of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into smaller molecules and produces some ATP.

Krebs cycle

A series of reactions in the mitochondria that release energy from molecules to form ATP.

Glucose

A type of sugar that cells use as a main source of energy.