Photosynthesis High-Yield Flashcards

Flashcards covering the overview, anatomy, reactions, and alternative pathways of photosynthesis based on the provided high-yield cheat sheet.

Photosynthesis

The process where light energy from the sun is used to synthesize glucose.

Chlorophyll A, B, and carotenoids

Pigments that absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis.

$P_{680}$ and $P_{700}$

Specific Chlorophyll A molecules corresponding to Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI), respectively.

Porphyrin Ring

The structural component of Chlorophyll A which contains a $Mg^{2+}$ atom inside.

Chloroplast

A double-membraned organelle in plant cells where photosynthesis takes place; it also provides support for the endosymbiotic theory.

Granum

A stack of thylakoids within the chloroplast.

Thylakoid Membrane

The structure that absorbs light and serves as the location for the Electron Transport Chain (ETC) and non-cyclic photophosphorylation.

Thylakoid Lumen

The location where photolysis occurs and where $H^+$ ions accumulate due to the ETC.

Stroma

The location within the chloroplast where the Calvin Cycle (Dark Reaction) occurs.

Stroma Lamellae

The location of Cyclic Photophosphorylation within the chloroplast.

Non-Cyclic Photophosphorylation

A pathway where $2e^-$ go through an ETC to reduce $NADP^+$ and $H^+$ to $NADPH$; products include $NADPH$, $O_2$, and $ATP$.

Cyclic Phosphorylation

A process where $2e^-$ from PSI go back through the first ETC to generate $1$ ATP and are recycled into PSI.

Action Spectrum

A representation showing that chloroplasts are highly effective at absorbing red and blue light, while green wavelengths are reflected.

Calvin Cycle (Dark Reaction)

A light-independent process whose purpose is to fix Carbon Dioxide ($CO_2$) into glucose ($2$ G3P).

RuBisCo

The enzyme that catalyzes the carboxylation reaction ($6CO_2 + 6RuBP \rightarrow 12PGA$) in the Calvin Cycle.

Reduction (Calvin Cycle)

The step where $12ATP + 12NADPH$ convert $12PGA$ to $12G3P$ or $12PGAL$, yielding byproducts $NADP^+$ and $ADP$.

Photolysis

The process at PSII where $H_2O$ splits into $2H^+$, $2e^-$, and $\frac{1}{2}O_2$; the electrons replenish those lost in PSII and $O_2$ is released as gas.

Chemiosmosis

The use of an $H^+$ gradient and proton motive force across the thylakoid membrane to drive ATP Synthase in turning $ADP$ into $ATP$.

C4 Photosynthesis

An alternative pathway that alters the location of photosynthesis by moving $CO_2$ to bundle sheath cells to minimize photorespiration and water loss.

CAM Photosynthesis

An alternative pathway that alters the timing of photosynthesis by fixing $CO_2$ at night instead of day to minimize photorespiration and water loss.