Understanding Photosynthesis and Its Processes

chlorophyll

Absorbs light energy.
Pigment that gives a plant its green color. Found in the chloroplast

chloroplast

organelle where photosynthesis takes place.

oxygen

product of photosynthesis

carbon dioxide

Gas taken in and used during photosynthesis.

leaf

the part of the plant where most photosynthesis takes place

light energy

energy from the sun that is used by plants to produce their own food by the process of photosynthesis

stomata

tiny holes in the leaves of the plant where gases like carbon dioxide and oxygen enter and exit

Photosynthesis

converting light energy to the chemical energy of food, in plants

Photosynthesis word equation

carbon dioxide + water --> glucose and oxygen

Photosynthesis symbol equation

CO2+H2O --> C6H12O6 + O2

Glucose

the type of sugar made during photosynthesis

product

a substance that is formed by a chemical reaction

Autotrophs

Organisms that produce their own food.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that consume other organisms for food.

Law of Conservation of Matter

Matter cannot be created or destroyed.

Law of Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed.

Chlorophyll

Green pigment absorbing light energy in chloroplasts.

Stomata

Leaf openings for gas exchange.

ATP (simple definition)

Energy-carrying molecule in cells.

Light-Dependent Reactions

First stage of photosynthesis, occurs in thylakoids.

Dark or Calvin Cycle

Light-independent or dark stage producing glucose in stroma.

Thylakoids

Membrane structures in chloroplasts for light reactions.

Stroma

Fluid-filled space in chloroplasts for Calvin Cycle.

Glucose formula

C6H12O6

Byproduct of photosynthesis released into the atmosphere.

oxygen

Gas absorbed by plants during photosynthesis.

carbon dioxide

Water

Essential reactant in photosynthesis.

2nd Law of Thermodynamics

Energy cannot be changed from one form to another without a loss of usable energy (typically heat)

auto-

self

troph

feeder

hetero-

other

ATP

A molecule that has 3 phosphates; when a bond is broken and it loses a phosphate, energy is released.

ADP

Adenosine diphosphate, which has two phosphates.