Energy Conversion and Photosynthesis

Flashcards covering key concepts related to energy conversion and the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.

Energy Conversion

The process of converting energy from one form to another, such as from carbohydrate bond energy to ATP bond energy.

Glycolysis

A metabolic pathway that converts glucose into pyruvate, generating ATP and occurring in the cytosol without the need for membranes.

Photosynthesis

The process by which photosynthetic organisms convert light energy into chemical energy in the form of carbohydrates.

Calvin Cycle

The set of chemical reactions that take place in chloroplasts during photosynthesis; it fixes carbon dioxide into organic compounds.

Thylakoid

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

Photon

A particle of light that carries energy and is absorbed by chlorophyll molecules during photosynthesis.

Photosystem

A complex of proteins and pigments in the thylakoid membrane that plays a crucial role in the capture of light energy.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of complexes that transfer electrons from electron donors to electron acceptors via redox reactions.

NADPH

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, a carrier molecule that transports high-energy electrons in photosynthetic organisms.

ATP Synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using a proton gradient.

Cyclic Photophosphorylation

A process used by some photosynthetic organisms to generate ATP without producing NADPH by cycling electrons back to Photosystem I.

Proton Gradient

The difference in proton concentration across a membrane, creating potential energy that drives ATP synthesis.

Oxidative Phosphorylation

The metabolic pathway through which cells use enzymes to oxidize nutrients, releasing energy which is used to form ATP.

Quinone

A class of cyclic organic compounds that serve as electron acceptors in the electron transport chain.

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant cells and eucaryotes that conducts photosynthesis by absorbing sunlight and converting it to chemical energy.