Chapter 15 - Photosynthesis

autotroph

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis or chemosynthesis.

heterotroph

Organisms that obtain their food by consuming other organisms.

chlorophyll

A green pigment found in plants that is essential for photosynthesis.

photon

A particle of light that is absorbed by chlorophyll during photosynthesis.

thylakoids

Membrane-bound structures within chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

RuBP

Ribulose bisphosphate, a 5-carbon sugar that is involved in the Calvin cycle.

Rubisco

An enzyme that catalyzes the first step of the Calvin cycle, fixing carbon dioxide to RuBP.

carotenoid

A pigment found in plants that can absorb light energy for photosynthesis and provides colors such as yellow and orange.

NADPH

A high-energy electron carrier produced during the light-dependent reactions.

stroma

The fluid-filled space in chloroplasts where the Calvin cycle takes place.

light dependent reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that require light to produce ATP and NADPH.

Calvin cycle

The series of reactions in photosynthesis that convert carbon dioxide into glucose using ATP and NADPH.

pigment

A substance that absorbs light and is responsible for the color of plants.

carbon cycle

The process by which carbon is exchanged among the biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.

chloroplast

An organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis occurs.

light independent reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that do not require light, primarily the Calvin cycle.