5A - photosynthesis

Photosynthesis

The biological process where photoautotrophs capture light energy from the sun and convert it into chemical energy.

Photoautotroph

An organism capable of undertaking photosynthesis.

Glucose

The main product of photosynthesis, represented by the chemical formula C6H12O6.

Stoma (Stomata)

A small pore on the leaf’s surface that opens and closes to regulate gas exchange.

Chloroplast

A membrane-bound organelle found in plant and photoautotroph cells, the site of photosynthesis.

Thylakoid

A flattened sac-like structure within the chloroplast, where the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur.

Light-dependent stage

The first stage of photosynthesis where light energy is used to split water molecules and generate NADPH and ATP.

Light-independent stage

The second stage of photosynthesis where glucose is produced from carbon dioxide, ATP, and NADPH, also known as the Calvin cycle.

NADPH

A coenzyme in photosynthesis that carries protons and electrons, produced in the light-dependent reactions.

ATP

A high energy molecule produced in photosynthesis that provides energy for cellular processes.

Photolysis

The process in which water molecules are broken down by the action of light during the light-dependent reactions.

Mesophyll cell

A plant cell type found in leaves that contains a high number of chloroplasts and is primarily involved in photosynthesis.

Xylem

Vascular tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves.

Calvin cycle

A series of biochemical reactions in the light-independent stage of photosynthesis that produces glucose from CO2.

Carbon dioxide

A gas absorbed by plants during photosynthesis to produce glucose.

Oxygen

A byproduct of photosynthesis released into the atmosphere.

Inputs for light-dependent stage

• 12 water (H2O) molecules

• 12 NADP+

• 18 ADP + Pi.
  

Outputs for the light-independent stage

• glucose (C6H12O6)

• 6 water (H2O) molecules

• 12 NADP+

• 18 ADP + Pi.

Inputs for light-independent stage

• 6 carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules

• 12 NADPH

• 18 ATP.
  

Outputs for light-dependent stage

• 6 oxygen (O2) molecules

• 12 NADPH

• 18 ATP.

location of light-dependent stage

grana / thylakoid membranes

location of the light-independent stage of photosynthesis

stroma