Chapter 14: Energy Conversion - Mitochondria and Chloroplasts

Mitochondria

Organelles found in all cells that burn food particles to produce ATP by oxidative phosphorylation.

Chloroplast

Organelles found only in plants and green algae that harness solar energy to produce ATP by photosynthesis.

Chemiosmotic coupling

The fundamental mechanism shared by mitochondria, chloroplasts, and prokaryotes for harnessing energy, linking chemical bond-forming reactions that generate ATP and membrane transport processes.

ATP synthase

An enzyme complex that catalyzes the production of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) by utilizing the electrochemical gradient of protons (H+).

Mitochondrial matrix

The inner compartment of the mitochondria that contains a variety of enzymes, including those involved in the conversion of pyruvate and fatty acids to acetyl CoA and the citric acid cycle.

TCA cycle

Also known as the Krebs cycle or citric acid cycle, it is a series of enzymatic reactions that occur in the mitochondrial matrix, leading to the complete oxidation of acetyl CoA into CO2 and the production of ATP.

Electron transport chain

A series of electron-transport protein complexes embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane that transfer high-energy electrons and generate a large electrochemical gradient of protons (H+) across the membrane.

Photosystem

Groups of photosynthetic pigments in the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts that are responsible for capturing light energy during the light reactions of photosynthesis.

Calvin cycle

Also known as the C3 pathway or the dark reactions, it is a series of biochemical reactions that occur in the stroma of chloroplasts, converting CO2 into carbohydrates, particularly glucose, through a series of enzymatic reactions.

CAM pathway

A specialized form of photosynthesis observed in certain plants, particularly succulents, that conserves