Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration Flashcards

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and concepts related to photosynthesis and cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

The process in which light energy is harnessed to produce glucose using carbon dioxide and water to produce glucose, oxygen, and water.

Chloroplasts

The organelle that is the site of both stages of photosynthesis in eukaryotic organisms.

Mesophyll Cells

The main cells in leaves where photosynthesis occurs.

Stroma

Gel-like matrix within chloroplasts, enriched in enzymes, site of the light-independent stage.

Grana

Stacks of thylakoids within chloroplasts where chlorophyll is found; site of the light-dependent stage.

Light Dependent Stage

Stage of photosynthesis that occurs in the grana, requires light, and involves splitting water to produce oxygen, hydrogen ions, and ATP.

Light Independent Stage

Stage of photosynthesis that occurs in the stroma, does not require light, and uses ATP and NADPH to convert carbon dioxide into glucose.

Rubisco

Enzyme responsible for the initial fixation of carbon dioxide in the Calvin cycle.

Photorespiration

Wasteful process in plants where Rubisco binds to oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, reducing glucose production.

C3 Plants

Plants that fix CO2 from the atmosphere to form PGA, best suited for cooler climates.

C4 Plants

Plants that minimize photorespiration by separating reactions into different cells (mesophyll and bundle sheath), better suited to grasslands.

CAM Plants

Plants that fix CO2 at night and store it to allow photosynthesis during the day; well-suited for deserts.

Limiting Factor

Any factor that reduces the rate of photosynthesis when there is not enough of it.

Enzyme Inhibitor

A molecule that binds to and prevents an enzyme from functioning.

Competitive Inhibitor

A molecule that hinders an enzyme by blocking the active site and preventing the substrate from binding.

Non-competitive Inhibitor

A molecule that hinders an enzyme by binding to an allosteric site and changing the shape of the active site.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and energy (ATP).

Aerobic Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration with oxygen, yielding 30-32 ATP.

Anaerobic Cellular Respiration

Cellular respiration without oxygen (fermentation), yielding 2 ATP and harmful by-products like ethanol or lactic acid.

Glycolysis

First stage of cellular respiration, occurring in the cytoplasm, where glucose is broken down into pyruvate.

Mitochondria

The crucial organelle needed for aerobic cellular respiration.

Krebs Cycle

Second stage of aerobic cellular respiration, occurring in the mitochondrial matrix, generating high-energy electron carriers and carbon dioxide.

Electron Transport Chain

Third stage of aerobic cellular respiration, occurring in the cristae, where ATP is produced using oxygen and hydrogen from loaded coenzymes.

Anaerobic Fermentation

Occurs when there is a low supply in oxygen and there is toxic build up of lactic acid and ethanol.

Biofuels

Fuel created from organic material known as biomass.