Light-Dependent Reactions of Photosynthesis

These flashcards cover essential concepts related to the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

Photosynthesis

The process that transforms radiant energy from sunlight into chemical energy in the form of high-energy compounds.

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that trap light energy to generate ATP and NADPH.

Photosystem

A cluster of chlorophyll and proteins involved in capturing light energy.

Thylakoid

Flattened sacs in chloroplasts where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Chlorophyll

The main pigment in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Photon

A packet of light energy that is absorbed by matter.

Chemiosmosis

The process of creating ATP by moving hydrogen ions across a membrane.

NADPH

A high-energy electron carrier that provides reducing power for the light-independent reactions.

Cyclic photophosphorylation

A process that generates ATP without producing NADPH, by cycling electrons back to photosystem I.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids in chloroplasts.

Stroma

The fluid-filled interior of chloroplasts where light-independent reactions occur.

Light-harvesting complex

A collection of pigments that gather light energy and transfer it to the reaction center.

Z scheme

The model describing the transfer of energy through photosystem II and I in noncyclic photophosphorylation.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate during chemiosmosis.

Electron transport chain

A series of proteins that transfer electrons, releasing energy to pump hydrogen ions.

Absorption spectrum

A graph showing the wavelengths of light absorbed by different pigments.