Photosynthesis

ATP

ATP

main energy source that cells use for most of their work

2nd and 3rd phosphate group

These two phosphate groups break to release energy in ATP

pigment

Light absorbing molecules in plants

sunlight

absorbed by plants to get energy for photosynthesis

Thylakoid

A flattened membrane sac inside the chloroplast, used to convert light energy into chemical energy.

thylakoid membrane

membrane in a chloroplast where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur

Chlorophyll

Green pigment found in the thylakoid membrane in plants that absorbs light energy used to carry out photosynthesis

electrons

become energized when sunlight is absorbed by chlorophyll

Electron carrier

a compound that can accept a pair of high-energy electrons and transfer them, along with most of their energy, to another molecule

NADPH

An electron carrier involved in photosynthesis. Light drives electrons from chlorophyll to NADP+, forming NADPH, which provides the high-energy electrons for the reduction of carbon dioxide to sugar in the Calvin cycle.

water

breaks down into oxygen, hydrogen ions, and electrons

oxygen

molecule released during photosynthesis after the breakdown of water

ATP and NADPH

high energy products made by the light reactions and used in the Calvin cycle

sugars and oxygen

products of photosynthesis

light-dependent reactions

set of reactions in photosynthesis that use energy from light to produce ATP and NADPH

thylakoid membrane

membrane in a chloroplast where the light reactions of photosynthesis occur

Stroma

The fluid of the chloroplast surrounding the thylakoid membrane; involved in the synthesis of carbon dioxide and water.

Calvin Cycle

reactions of photosynthesis in which energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugars

Light Independent Reactions (Calvin Cycle)

set of reactions in photosynthesis that do not require light; energy from ATP and NADPH is used to build high-energy compounds such as sugar; also called the Calvin cycle

Photosystem II

First part of the light-dependent reactions to capture sunlight in the thylakoid membrane

Electron Transport Chain (ETC)

series of electron carrier proteins that move high-energy electrons during ATP-generating reactions

ATP synthase

Large protein that uses energy from H+ ions to bind ADP and a phosphate group together to produce ATP

Photosystem I

the SECOND photosystem in the thylakoid membrane. Accepts electrons from Photosystem II

hydrogen ion

pass through the ATP synthase causing it to spin

products of light dependent reactions

ATP, NADPH, O2

Products of Calvin Cycle

Sugars, ADP, NADP+

Green light

color of light that plants do not absorb