Photosynthesis Lecture Notes

This flashcard set covers key concepts about photosynthesis, including its processes, structures involved, and factors affecting its rate.

Photosynthesis is the process by which __, some bacteria, and some protistans use the energy from sunlight to produce glucose.

plants

The equation summarizing photosynthesis is: __ + water → glucose + oxygen.

carbon dioxide

Chlorophyll is a __ pigment that plays a crucial role in photosynthesis.

green

Accessory pigments, such as chlorophyll b, xanthophylls, and carotenoids, absorb energy that __ does not absorb.

chlorophyll a

Water enters the root and is transported to the leaves through specialized plant cells known as __ vessels.

xylem

Gases move in and out of a leaf through structures called __, which are flanked by guard cells.

stomata

The structural unit of photosynthesis is a __, which contains photosynthetic chemicals.

thylakoid

The process of splitting water molecules during photosynthesis is called __.

photolysis

The first photosystem in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis is called __.

Photosystem II (PSII) or P680.

The net effect of non-cyclic phosphorylation is to pass electrons from water to __.

NADP.

Chemiosmosis in photosynthesis occurs in the thylakoid membranes and involves the production of __.

ATP.

Cyclic phosphorylation uses only __ to generate additional ATP needed for light-independent reactions.

Photosystem I (PSI).

The initial stable product of the Calvin Cycle is __, which is phosphorylated using energy from ATP and reduced by NADPH.

phosphoglycerate (PGA).

Limiting factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis include light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and __.

temperature.

As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis generally increases until limited by __.

some other factor.

The optimum wavelengths for absorption by PSI and PSII are nm and nm, respectively.

700; 680.

chloroplast

Organelles in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs, containing chlorophyll.