Photosynthesis Basics

Light dependent reactions

Traps energy from sunlight in ATP & NADPH

Light independent reactions

part of photosynthesis that uses ATP & NADPH to make glucose (aka Calvin Cycle)

Thylakoid membrane

part of chloroplast where light reactions occur

Photosystem

group of pigment molecules that can trap light energy

Stroma

Part of chloroplast where light independent reactions occur

Photophosphylation

When Phosphate is added to ATP using energy from light

chemosynthesis

a process where chemicals like sulfur compounds are used as energy sources to produce sugar

photosynthesis

process where light energy is captured and transformed into chemical energy in bonds of glucose

chlorophyll

main pigment of photosynthesis

accessory pigments

carotenes & xanthophyll. help pass energy to chlorophyll and protect plant from damage of excessive light

stomata

pores that allow CO2 and O2 exchange

C4

photosynthesis that uses PEP enzyme to carry CO2 to inner leaf portion, preventing photorespiration

rubicso (Ribulose BiPhosphate Carboxylase)

first enzyme in the calvin cycle. also attracted to oxygen which can result in photorespiration

CAM

special photosynthetic pathway in desert plants that allows them to store CO2 overnight so stomata don't have to open during the day when more water loss will occur

transpiration

water loss that occurs at leaves

NADPH

coenzyme that brings hydrogen from the light reaction to the Calvin cycle

ATP Synthase

The enzyme that makes ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate using the H+ gradient

Photorespiration

Reaction in which rubisco attaches oxygen instead of carbon dioxide to ribulose bisphosphate

G3P

Three-carbon sugar produced in the Calvin cycle. (3 turns makes one of these)

CO2 + H2O --> C6H12O6 + O2

photosynthesis equation

Glucose

Product of photosynthesis (6 turns of Calvin Cycle makes one of these)

Oxygen gas

Released during the light reactions by splitting water

Fixing Carbon

turning inorganic carbon(CO2) to organic carbon(Glucose)

Chloroplast

An organelle found in plant and algae cells where photosynthesis occurs