Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Review

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to photosynthesis and cellular respiration based on the lecture notes.

ATP

Adenosine triphosphate; energy currency of the cell.

Photosynthesis

Process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to synthesize foods with the help of chlorophyll.

NADPH

A reducing agent that provides high-energy electrons for the synthesis of glucose during photosynthesis.

Carbon Fixation

The process of converting inorganic CO₂ into organic compounds during photosynthesis.

Glycolysis

The process of breaking down glucose into pyruvate, producing ATP and NADH.

Fermentation

A metabolic process that regenerates NAD+ from NADH allowing glycolysis to continue in the absence of oxygen.

ETC

Electron Transport Chain; a series of protein complexes and other molecules that transfer electrons and pump protons to generate a proton gradient.

Acetyl-CoA

A key intermediate in metabolism that is formed from pyruvate and is essential for entering the citric acid cycle.

Lactic Acid Fermentation

Type of fermentation that converts pyruvate into lactate, regenerating NAD+.

Alcohol Fermentation

Type of fermentation performed by yeasts that converts pyruvate into ethanol and CO₂.

Citric Acid Cycle

A series of chemical reactions used by all aerobic organisms to release stored energy through the oxidation of acetyl-CoA into CO₂.

Activation Energy

The minimum energy that must be provided for a chemical reaction to occur.

Enzyme Denaturation

A process in which enzymes lose their structural integrity and hence their activity due to changes in temperature or pH.

Passive Transport

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane without the need for energy input.

Active Transport

The movement of molecules across a cell membrane in the opposite direction of their concentration gradient, requiring energy.

Phospholipid Bilayer

A two-layered arrangement of phospholipids that form a cell membrane, with hydrophilic (water-attracting) heads and hydrophobic (water-repelling) tails.

Chloroplasts

Cell organelles found in plants and algae that conduct photosynthesis.

Mitochondria

Cell organelles that produce ATP through cellular respiration, often termed the powerhouse of the cell.

Signal Sequence

A short peptide present at the beginning of the protein that directs the protein to its correct cellular location.