Introduction to Photosynthesis and Light Reactions

These flashcards cover key concepts related to light reactions in photosynthesis, including definitions of important terms and processes.

Photosynthesis

The process that uses light energy to convert carbon dioxide and water into organic compounds.

Chlorophyll a

A pigment in plants that absorbs mainly blue and red light and reflects green light.

Chlorophyll b

An accessory pigment that expands the range of light a plant can use for photosynthesis.

Light-dependent reactions

Reactions in photosynthesis that require light to produce ATP and NADPH.

Calvin cycle

The light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that convert CO2 and the energy from ATP and NADPH into glucose.

Electron transport chain (ETC)

A series of proteins in the thylakoid membrane that transfer electrons and produce ATP.

Photosystem II (PS II)

The first photosystem in the light-dependent reactions that captures light energy to drive the splitting of water.

Photosystem I (PS I)

The second photosystem in the light-dependent reactions that further transfers energy to produce NADPH.

Hill Reaction

The reaction that involves the reduction of an electron acceptor by electrons from water in the presence of light.

DPIP (2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol)

An artificial electron acceptor used to study the Hill Reaction; it changes from blue to colorless when reduced.