UNIT 3 - Matter and Energy in Living Systems 🔬

Photosynthesis

Process converting light energy into chemical energy.

Chloroplast

Organelle where photosynthesis occurs in plants.

NADPH

Electron carrier used in photosynthesis reactions.

Cellular respiration

Process of converting glucose into ATP energy.

Aerobic

Requires oxygen for cellular respiration processes.

Anaerobic

Occurs without oxygen, producing less energy.

Mitochondrion

Organelle responsible for ATP production in cells.

Glycolysis

First step of cellular respiration, breaking down glucose.

Kreb's cycle

Series of reactions producing electron carriers from acetyl-CoA.

Electron transport chain

Final stage of respiration, generating ATP via electrons.

Fermentation

Anaerobic process converting sugars into acids or gases.

Population

Group of individuals of the same species in an area.

Community

Multiple populations interacting in a shared environment.

Ecosystem

Community plus its physical environment interacting together.

Biome

Large ecological area with distinct climate and organisms.

Biodiversity

Variety of life in a particular habitat or ecosystem.

Food chain

Linear sequence showing energy flow between organisms.

Consumer

Organism that obtains energy by eating other organisms.

Trophic level

Position in a food chain or web based on energy.

Food web

Complex network of interconnected food chains.

Biomass

Total mass of living matter in a given area.

Energy pyramid

Diagram showing energy flow through trophic levels.

Biomass pyramid

Representation of biomass at each trophic level.

Biomagnification

Increase in concentration of toxins up the food chain.

Biogeochemical cycle

Pathway by which elements circulate through ecosystems.

Fossil fuel

Natural fuel formed from decomposed organic matter.

Producers

Organisms that make their own food