Study Guide: Plants, Photosynthesis, and Cellular Respiration

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

ATP

A molecule that stores and transfers energy in cells.

ADP

A molecule similar to ATP, but with one less phosphate group; it is converted into ATP to gain energy.

Photosynthesis

The process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose.

Chlorophyll

A green pigment found in chloroplasts that absorbs light energy for photosynthesis.

Chloroplast

An organelle where photosynthesis occurs, consisting of inner and outer membranes, thylakoids, and stroma.

Light Reactions

The first phase of photosynthesis that uses solar energy to produce ATP and release oxygen.

Calvin Cycle

The light-independent reactions in photosynthesis that use ATP and carbon dioxide to produce glucose.

Cellular Respiration

The process by which cells break down glucose to produce ATP.

Glycolysis

The first phase of cellular respiration that breaks down glucose into pyruvate and produces ATP.

Krebs Cycle

The second phase of cellular respiration that produces CO2, ATP, NADH, and FADH2.

Electron Transport Chain

The final phase of cellular respiration that uses electrons from NADH and FADH2 to produce ATP.

Fermentation

An anaerobic process that regenerates NAD+ so glycolysis can continue in the absence of oxygen.

Mitochondria

The organelle where cellular respiration occurs, consisting of inner and outer membranes, cristae, and matrix.

Photosystems I and II

Protein complexes in chloroplasts that capture light energy and transfer it to electrons.

Thylakoid

Membrane structures within chloroplasts that contain chlorophyll and are the site of the light reactions.

NADPH

An electron carrier molecule produced in the light reactions and used in the Calvin cycle.