Metabolic Processes, Photosynthesis, and Cellular Respiration Vocabulary

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms from the lecture notes on metabolic processes, photosynthesis, and cellular respiration.

Photosynthesis

Process that organisms use to capture energy from the sun and process it into a functional form of cellular energy.

Cellular Respiration

Process where animals use glucose to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Role of Light in Photosynthesis

Excites the electrons in the chlorophyll molecule which starts the first ETC, and the electrons are responsible for drawing the H+ across the membrane to build the proton gradient.

Role of Water in Photosynthesis

Splits water during photolysis by the Z protein to replace electrons lost from chlorophyll a, build a proton gradient, and release oxygen as waste.

Leaves

Flat, to maximize surface area exposed to sunlight while limiting distances that gases need to travel to the chloroplasts.

Epidermis Layer

Transparent, colourless layer of cells below the cuticle of a leaf, stem or root; allows light to pass through to the next layer.

Mesophyll Layers

Photosynthetic cells that form the bulk of the plant leaf.

Guard Cells

Epidermal cells of a leaf or stem that form and regulate the size of the stomata.

Stomata

Microscopic openings on the surface of the leaf that allow for gas exchange between air spaces inside the leaf and the atmosphere.

Xylem

Dead vascular bundle or vein that transports water and minerals from roots to leaves.

Phloem

Living vascular bundles that carry carbohydrates produced in photosynthesis from leaves to where it is needed in the plant or where it is stored.

Transpiration

Loss of water vapour from plant tissues through stomata that helps to draw water (and dissolved minerals) up from the roots through the xylem.

Chloroplasts

Photosynthetic factories that contain their own DNA and ribosomes and are able to replicate by fission.

Thylakoids

Membrane bound sacs inside the stroma that form columns (look like coin stacks) called grana; contain light-absorbing pigment and electron transport chains.

Light Dependent Reaction

Occurs in the thylakoid membrane, involves chlorophyll, light, water, oxygen, NADP+, ADP, e-, H+.

Light Independent Reaction

Occurs in the stroma, involves NADPH, ATP, RuBP, CO2 and G3P (PGAL).

Photons

Discrete energy packages of light.

Photocenter

Network of chlorophyll and carotenoid pigment molecules held together in a protein matrix, that permits channelling of excitation energy to a central point called the reaction centre

C3 plants

Plants that use the Calvin cycle to fix carbon.

Hot Conditions of C3 Plants

Where the plant closes their stomata to prevent water loss, new CO2 cannot enter, and O2 builds up inside the leaf causing photorespiration

C4 plants

Live in hot dry conditions (sugar cane, corn & other grasses) and minimize photorespiration by increasing the amount of CO2 available.

CAM plants

Include water storing plants (succulents) like cacti and pineapples, and grow in extremely arid conditions.

Endergonic Reactions

Energy is absorbed, e.g., Photosynthesis is a series of endergonic reactions that produce energy rich glucose molecules.

Cellular Respiration

Series of exergonic reactions that release energy from glucose molecules to form molecules of ATP.

Goal of Cellular Respiration

Convert the energy stored in GLUCOSE into ATP.

Aerobic Cellular Respirtation

Requires oxygen and produces carbon dioxide and water.

Glycolysis stage of Aerobic Cellular Respirtation

Performed by all organisms, only 2 ATP produced, does not require oxygen, and series of 10 enzyme-catalyzed reactions that take place in the cytoplasm.

Krebs Cycle stage of Aerobic Cellular Respirtation

Series of redox reactions involving oxygen in the mitochondria.

Anaerobic Cellular Respiration (Fermentation)

Occurs when there is no oxygen available. Includes alcoholic and lactic acid fermentation.

Two pathways after Glycolysis

After glycolysis (2 ATP produced) there are two possible pathways: Alcoholic Fermentation and Lactic Acid Fermentation

Mitochondria

Have their own circular DNA (mtDNA), RNA & ribosomes, and produce large quantities of ATP .

Goal of Oxidation of Pyruvate

Convert Pyruvate to Acetyl-CoA + produce NADH.

Goal of Krebs Cycle

By Converting Acetyl-CoA to CO2 = produce NADH + FADH2 + GTP.

Goal of Electron Transport Chain (ETC) & Chemiosmosis Cellular Respiration

Use electron carriers (NADH + FADH2) to create a proton gradient and create ATP through Chemiosmosis.