Photosynthesis: Energy from Sunlight

Vocabulary flashcards based on key terms and concepts from the photosynthesis lecture.

Photosynthesis

The biochemical process by which cells capture energy from sunlight and store it in carbohydrates.

Chlorophyll

The pigment in plants that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Calvin-Benson Cycle

The light-independent reactions of photosynthesis that convert CO2 and other compounds into glucose.

Glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P)

A product of the Calvin cycle, used to form sugars and other compounds.

Noncyclic electron transport

The primary pathway of electron transport in photosynthesis that produces NADPH, ATP, and O2.

Cyclic electron transport

An alternative electron transport pathway that produces ATP only and does not consume water.

Photophosphorylation

The process of generating ATP using the energy from light during the light reactions of photosynthesis.

Endergonic reaction

A reaction that requires energy input, such as the process of photosynthesis.

Exergonic reaction

A reaction that releases energy, such as cellular respiration.

ATP synthase

An enzyme that synthesizes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using energy from protons.