Photosynthesis Definitions

A deck of cards containing important and/or frequently used terms and their definitions from the topic of Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

The process by which green plants and some organisms make complex organic molecules from carbon dioxide and water using the sun’s energy

Autotrophic Organism

Organisms that produce their own food through photosynthesis

Heterotrophic Organisms

Organisms that cannot produce their own food and must obtain it from other organisms

Pigment

A substance whose molecules absorb some wavelength of light and reflect others.

Phosphorylation

The addition of phosphate to an organic molecule

Photophosphorylation

The phosphorylation of ADP to ATP using the energy of sunlight

Photolysis

The splitting of water molecules

Photosystems

Protein complexes found in the thylakoid membranes of plants and some other organisms

Limiting Factor

Any factor or variable that can restrict the rate of a process or reaction

Condensation Point

The point at which the rate of carbon dioxide production from respiration is compensated exactly by the rate of carbon dioxide uptake from photosynthesis

Light Dependent Stage

Where light is absorbed and where oxygen and ATP and NADPH are made

Light Independent Stage

Where ATP and NADPH are used to synthesize glucose molecules

Chemiosmosis

The mechanism of ATP synthesis in photosynthesis and respiration