Photosynthesis: Process, Leaf Anatomy, and Chloroplast Structure

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the chemical equation, leaf anatomy, chloroplast internal compartments, and two stages of photosynthesis based on the lecture material.

$C_3$ Photosynthesis

The most common form of photosynthesis, in which organisms convert sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide into usable chemical energy through anabolic redox reactions.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)

A primary three-carbon carbohydrate precursor produced by the anabolic redox reactions of photosynthesis; two molecules of G3P combine to form one molecule of glucose.

Glucose ($C_6H_{12}O_6$)

A simple sugar and carbohydrate created during photosynthesis from two molecules of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P).

Photosynthesis Chemical Equation

The overall summary reaction of photosynthesis: $6CO_2 + 6H_2O \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$ driven by sunlight.

Chloroplast

A specialized membrane-bound organelle situated within the cells of green plant tissues where all reactions of photosynthesis take place.

Mesophyll

The middle photosynthetic leaf tissue situated between the upper and lower epidermis and cuticle, containing cells with high concentrations of chloroplasts.

Cuticle

A waxy protective layer covering the epidermis of a leaf that prevents water loss through evaporation.

Stoma (plural: Stomata)

A microscopic pore in the leaf epidermis that facilitates the diffusion of carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) into and oxygen ($O_2$) out of the leaf tissue.

Leaf Cross-Section Anatomy

The structural arrangement of a photosynthetic leaf, composed of the cuticle, upper epidermis, chloroplast-packed mesophyll, leaf veins, lower epidermis, and stomata.

Thylakoid

A flattened, membrane-bound sac inside the chloroplast that contains photosynthetic pigments and hosts the light-dependent reactions.

Granum (plural: Grana)

A stacked, column-like structure composed of individual thylakoid discs inside a chloroplast.

Thylakoid Space (Lumen)

The internal fluid compartment enclosed by the thylakoid membrane, which connects continuously with the internal spaces of adjacent thylakoids.

Stroma

The fluid-filled space surrounding the thylakoids within the inner membrane of a chloroplast, where the light-independent reactions (Calvin cycle) occur.

Chloroplast Internal Architecture

The compartmentalized anatomy of a chloroplast, consisting of the outer membranes, fluid stroma, stacked grana of thylakoids, and the interconnected thylakoid lumen.

Light-Dependent Reactions

The light-driven stage of photosynthesis occurring in thylakoid membranes that splits $H_2O$ to release oxygen ($\frac{1}{2}O_2$) while producing $ATP$ and $NADPH$.

Light-Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

The cyclical metabolic pathway occurring in the chloroplast stroma that consumes $CO_2$, $ATP$, and $NADPH$ to synthesize G3P, returning $ADP + P$ and $NADP^+$ to the thylakoids.