Photosynthesis: Light Reactions and Calvin Cycle

These flashcards cover key vocabulary terms and definitions related to the light reactions and the Calvin Cycle in photosynthesis, facilitating understanding of the processes involved.

Light Reactions

The phase of photosynthesis where energy from light is converted into chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH.

Thylakoid Membrane

The membrane system within chloroplasts that contains the pigments involved in the light reactions.

Chlorophyll a

A pigment that absorbs blue-violet and red light, reflecting green light, and directly participates in light reactions.

Chlorophyll b

A pigment that absorbs blue and orange light, reflecting yellow-green light, and shuttles energy to chlorophyll a.

Carotenoids

A family of pigments that reflect orange and yellow shades, broadening the light spectrum used for photosynthesis.

Photon

A discrete packet of light energy that drives the excitation of electrons in pigments.

Photosystem

A cluster of pigments and proteins in the thylakoid membrane that captures light energy.

Photosystem I

A type of photosystem that absorbs light best at 700 nm (P700) and plays a role in generating NADPH.

Photosystem II

A type of photosystem that absorbs light best at 680 nm (P680) and is involved in ATP synthesis.

Photophosphorylation

The process of generating ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using light energy.

Calvin Cycle

The process that uses CO2, NADPH, and ATP to form glucose and other organic molecules in the chloroplast.

NADPH

A high-energy electron carrier produced during the light reactions and used in the Calvin Cycle.

Chemical Energy

Energy stored in the bonds of chemical compounds, produced during the light reactions of photosynthesis.

Oxygen (O2) Production

A byproduct of photosynthesis, produced when water is split to replace lost electrons in photosystem II.

Fluorescence

The emission of light by chlorophyll as it returns to the ground state after being excited by light.

Electron Transport Chain

A series of proteins that transfer excited electrons, creating ATP during the light reactions.

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G3P)

A three-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin Cycle, used to make glucose and other organic compounds.